Rangers-linked Owen Beck was named on the bench for the first time since returning to Liverpool in their EFL Cup victory over Fulham.
The Welsh left-back, 21, spent the first half of the season on loan at Dundee and has reportedly been interesting both Rangers and Celtic.
Liverpool meanwhile are said to have rebuffed those early enquiries with Owen Beck recalled amid a run of injuries in the position at Anfield.
Scotland international captain Andy Robertson is recovering from shoulder surgery whilst Greek back-up Kostas Tsimikas has a broken collarbone.
Owen Beck named in Liverpool squad
With Joe Gomez starting for Liverpool in the eventual 2-1 victory over Fulham, the presence of Owen Beck on the bench backs up the Reds’ decision to recall the left-back.
It’s a decision which also extinguishes any faint suggestion Rangers might be holding out for the opportunity to sign the player later in the month.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been a fierce critic of the hectic modern footballing schedule and you can bet Owen Beck will receive more first-team exposure soon.
It marks a meteoric rise over the last six months following an impressive stint with Scottish Premiership Dundee which also led to the left-back earning a call-up to the Wales squad.
It’s certainly a good advert for the development which can be made on temporary deals north of the border amid claims Rangers had an enquiry for the player knocked back.
Rangers left-back situation is live
Rangers’ left-back situation continues to make headlines with both Ridvan Yilmaz and Borna Barisic linked with exit moves.
And yet both players remain at Rangers and in fact are with the club’s squad at the Ibrox side’s warm weather winter training camp in La Manga.
With Ridvan Yilmaz in particular strongly linked to Verona, Rangers could be on the hunt for a new left-back in the coming days or weeks.
Owen Beck is one of a number of options who have been mooted in the press with the likes of Gijs Smal and Fredrik Oppegard also said to be first-team options.
Links to Verona full-back Josh Doig seem a tad unrealistic given the fees attached to any move.
