(Video) Shearer refers to Klopp as “annoying” as the humiliating Liverpool feud persists.
Liverpool has been very busy during the beginning of the January transfer window so far. The club has already recalled four loan players, and could make more changes in the coming weeks ahead.
The two most notable recalls so far have been that of Fabio Carvalho – who has returned to Liverpool after a disappointing spell with RB Leipzig, and Owen Beck.
The latter has impressed while on loan at Dundee, and given Liverpool’s injuries in the left-back department he could now get his chance to shine in the first team – including in the FA Cup this weekend.
Wales v Denkmark – 2025 European Under-21 Championship
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Owen Beck chance?
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s game in the FA Cup against Arsenal on Sunday as per the Liverpool ECHO, Jurgen Klopp was asked about the decision to recall Beck from his loan deal. The Liverpool boss revealed Beck has always been highly regarded at the club and also that he was surprised by some of his previous loan spells in the past.
“We’re really positive about Owen but he had two difficult loan spells. It surprised us because of what we think of him,” Klopp said.
“At Dundee he made big steps. The situation is clear – a boy we like is available so we bring him back.”
The nephew of Liverpool legend Ian Rush, Beck earned his first Wales senior national team call-up while out on loan at Dundee, and he has become a fan favourite while playing in Scotland.
Now Liverpool will hope he can continue his progress closer to the club’s first team and provide much needed depth in a key position. Whether he will get his chance to feature against Arsenal remains to be seen, but it certainly seems like Klopp would have no qualms throwing him in at the deep end.
mong the top 15% of midfielders across divisions similar to the Championship for pass completion, the top 13% for passes attempted and the top 14% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
With this in mind, perhaps Klopp could view the player as the all-purpose midfield replacement for Curtis Jones, who is an integral part of the team but has recently attracted the attention of Arsenal, with a reliable club insider at the Emirates revealing there has already been contact regarding a possible transfer in the future.
Curtis Jones: Key Characteristics
Strengths
Weaknesses
Passing
Aerial duels
Tackling
Through balls
*Sourced via WhoScored
Why Dan Neil could replace Curtis Jones
Jones – a boyhood Gunners fan – has recently been hailed for his “phenomenal” ball retention and game intelligence by analyst Raj Chohan, having also nurtured an attacking instinct that has provided him with three goals and assists apiece from 12 starts this term.
To emphasise the level at which he is performing – perhaps going somewhat under the radar – Jones, 22, ranks among the top 2% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 6% for goals and the top 9% for assists and the top 19% for tackles per 90.
While the club’s youth graduate is contracted until 2027, he is one of the senior set-up’s lower earners at £15k-per-week, and though Anfield officials will be at ease regarding any simmering rumours, there will be an acceptance that fresh terms are necessary if Arsenal intrigue intensifies.
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An all-encompassing and energetic player, Klopp would bewail the dynamo’s possible departure, but should this occur, perhaps Neil – who has been described as “invaluable” to his second-tier side by former boss Tony Mowbray – would be the perfect replacement.
Neil, like Jones, is still contracted for a few years, but if Sunderland fail to secure promotion to the Premier League soon, he may be convinced to depart, trying his hand at the pinnacle of English football.
And Liverpool appear happy to oblige; though there’s something of an overload of multi-action midfielders in Klopp’s squad, Jones’ sale – should it occur – would facilitate Neil’s arrival and subsequent rise as a key component of a silverware-chasing team.
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