Liverpool confirms January move following major injury blow

One of Liverpool's summer loanees has been forced to cut short his Championship after injury prevented him playing in the first half of the season, and the Reds confirmed the news via a statement

Owen Beck's loan move to Derby County has been terminated early(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool has confirmed defender Owen Beck’s loan at Derby County has been cut short prematurely, with the youngster returning to Merseyside for the remainder of the season.

Beck, who has played three senior games for the Reds, joined Derby in July on a season-long loan. However, he never played a single game for the Rams due to injury.

The left-back sustained a hamstring issue in the summer and, just as he was on the verge of returning, a decision was made that the injury required surgery. He played just 40 minutes for Derby’s Under-21s in a 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers, the side he previously impressed at last season.

Speaking in November, Derby boss John Eustace said: “Unfortunately, Owen has had to have surgery on his hamstring, so he's going to be out for the next three or four months.

“I feel really sorry for Becky, and obviously, I had worked with him at Blackburn. Bringing him to the football club was a real success from the recruitment side, especially to bring a player of that quality here and to be able to showcase him.

“Over the course of the season, I think everyone was excited about that, but unfortunately, he's had a really difficult time.

“We all feel sorry for the boy, but it's all part of his learning and his development. He'll come back stronger, but it's not going to be with us.”

Beck is set to spend the remainder of the season back at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool confirmed via a statement that Beck will continue his rehabilitation at the AXA Training Centre

The 23-year-old, who is the great-nephew of club legend Ian Rush, signed a new long-term contract with the club in the summer and is highly regarded among the Reds’ academy set-up.

Beck played 25 times for Blackburn last season, but did not feature after February due to injury.

Beck impressed on loan at Blackburn last season(Image: Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images)

The Welshman has also enjoyed previous spells on loan Dundee and Bolton Wanderers.

He made his Liverpool debut in a Carabao Cup win over Preston North End in December 2021 and featured in the following round as the Reds beat Leicester City on penalties in the quarter-final en route to winning the competition.

Beck came on for the final seven minutes in a 4-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth in January 2024.

He is the second significant move of the winter market, after James Norris joined Shelbourne in a permanent deal.