Liverpool are gearing up to take on Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, with Owen Beck poised to join the squad.
This decision came about due to an unexpected positional challenge caused by two unusual injuries.
The simultaneous sidelining of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas is certainly unusual. Robertson suffered a dislocated shoulder, while Tsimikas sustained a broken collarbone, leaving Liverpool with a shortage in that area.
Joe Gomez stepped up commendably, covering the left-back position. Having partnered with Virgil van Dijk at centre-back during the 2019-20 season, Gomez’s form has seen a resurgence after recovering from a significant knee injury.
However, there was a need for additional depth. Options like Luke Chambers were considered, and Conor Bradley could also play on the left side of defence. Yet, Liverpool had a standout player performing well in senior football. Owen Beck had an impressive loan spell at Dundee, where the 21-year-old notched up two goals and two assists in 20 matches, quickly winning over fans.
Jurgen Klopp’s decision to recall Beck from Dundee to bolster Liverpool’s squad might not have been universally applauded, but it was a necessary move to address the team’s needs.
On the decision, Klopp said: “So, we always saw and were pretty positive about Owen but then he had two really difficult loan spells, which was a surprise that it didn’t work out because of what we thought about Owen, but that’s how it is, especially with young boys when you send them away from home and stuff like this.
“Plenty of things can happen there and it always needs to fit really well – it must be the right manager, must be the right team, if you have another left-back there and he has experience… there are so many things [that] can make a loan spell not really happening.”
Beck has featured twice for Liverpool in senior matches, both times entering as a substitute in the Carabao Cup. He had the potential to play during last Sunday’s FA Cup third-round win against Arsenal. However, due to a pending suspension from two bookings in the Scottish League Cup, he was unable to participate in the match at the Emirates Stadium.
There’s a strong possibility that Beck will be among the substitutes when Liverpool takes on Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tonight. Given that the Reds have their winter hiatus from the Premier League this weekend, it’s anticipated that Gomez will remain in the lineup.
Furthermore, Klopp faces a challenge with Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined due to a knee injury for three weeks. Klopp aims to maintain defensive stability and may not make extensive changes. Bradley, a 20-year-old, is expected to step in for only his second start of the season, having recovered from a back injury. Nevertheless, a spot in the squad for Beck is likely.
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