Liverpool are likely to be very active in the transfer market once they return to England next week.
The Reds have been enjoying a productive visit to the United States over the past 10 days or so, picking up two wins in two games.
The matches against Real Betis and Arsenal gave Arne Slot a chance to assess all of the travelling Liverpool squad.
Given that plenty of the first-team have either been arriving late or are still on holiday, the group was made up of a big number of players from the Liverpool academy.
Some of those have impressed immeasurably out in the US. Fans loved Trey Nyoni’s performance against Betis, for example. But for others, it looks like they may have had their last outing for Liverpool.
Liverpool want Owen Beck sale
It isn’t only in terms of incomings that Liverpool have been quiet so far this summer. By now, it would have been expected that a few players would have moved on, too.
Calvin Ramsay has tied up a loan move to Wigan, with Luke Chambers also set to join the same club. Those two aside, though, there has been no movement at all in the loan market. That will surely change soon.
The third member of Liverpool’s young full-back club is left-sider Owen Beck. Beck has featured in both matches in the US, posting a combined 44 minutes on the pitch.
With Chambers going, it may have been expected that the 21-year-old would stay. Beck did state his aim to make the Liverpool first-team this season after all. But according to journalist Lewis Steele, that may not happen.
Beck was wanted by Celtic in January after impressing out on-loan at Dundee. However, after being recalled he featured for Liverpool, meaning the youngster could not play for a third team in the same campaign.
Steele has now claimed that Celtic’s interest has not gone away. But they may be denied the chance to sign Beck again.
“With Owen Beck, Celtic are keen,” says the reporter. “I know that they tried for another left-back but failed.
“But I think Liverpool want a sale rather than a loan which would rule out Celtic from signing him. So, it’ll be interesting to see on this one.”
Owen Beck ready for Liverpool exit
There had been claims prior to his arrival that Slot could make a change at left-back for Liverpool. Beck and Chambers are two good young options alongside Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.
With rumours that Tsimikas could be sold this summer, it had looked possible that one of the two academy graduates may be in line for a promotion.
Talk has since cooled of Tsimikas leaving, though. As Chambers has now gone too, it seems that the Greek has seen off competition from the two youngsters.
From Beck’s point of view then, it is the right time for a move. Beck was called a ‘super talent’ by Jurgen Klopp and ‘fantastic’ by U21 coach Barry Lewtas [liverpoolfc.com]. He looks like he can play to a good level. But he also turns 22 next week.
Liverpool are right, at this stage another loan would not really benefit anyone. It would be a shame to lose him, but it’s time for Beck to find his own path.
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