The last time Rangers signed a full-back who had risen through the ranks at Liverpool, Jon Flanagan made only 21 Scottish Premiership appearances before being released just two years after signing a contract at Ibrox.
But if Flanagan arrived in Glasgow with his career already heading in the wrong direction – his reputation and his career decimated by injury – the same certainly cannot be said of a 21-year-old who could yet follow in his footsteps.
Rangers, according to the Daily Mail, have seen an enquiry rebuffed by Liverpool for Owen Beck this week. The Reds are reluctant to lose the youngster with Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas on the sidelines, but their stance could yet soften as the window progresses. Particularly with Robertson expected to return by the end of the month (Liverpool Echo).
Rangers want Liverpool starlet Owen Beck
Beck, the nephew of Anfield legend Ian Rush, was a revelation on loan at Rangers’ Premiership rivals Dundee in the first half of this season. In fact, you could argue that his spell at Dens Park went a little too well – at least as far as Dundee are concerned – the Wales under 21 international attracting admiring glances from clubs higher up the Scottish pyramid prior to his January re-call.
And while Beck may fall just shy of the sky-high standards required to make the grade at Liverpool, that is not to say he would not arrive at Rangers having earned the admiration of both Jurgen Klopp and one of the finest full-backs in the game, a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Owen is a super talent. I am really excited about him,” Klopp said after Beck caught the eye during Liverpool’s 2021 pre-season tour (Tribal Football).
“He’s impressed many of us with the way he is,” added Alexander-Arnold. “He is still growing, he is still maturing as a guy, he has a lot to learn but the signs are there that he will become a top player.
“He obviously has Robbo (Robertson) and Kostas in front of him. Hopefully he will be able to pick things up and learn from them.”
Jurgen Klopp is a big fan
The presence of Robertson and Tsimikas in Klopp’s ranks have proven to be as much a hindrance as help for young Beck, with suggestions of a permanent departure a reflection of the quality ahead of him in Klopp’s pecking order.
But unlike Flanagan – who joined Rangers attempted to save his career – Beck would touch down in Glasgow at the very beginning of his footballing journey.
