More than two months after leaving Liverpool on loan for the first time, Owen Beck finally made his first appearance of the season, but not for the club he joined in July.
At first, a move to Famalicao seemed like a bold move that would pay off for Beck, who had proven himself to be one of Anfield’s most exciting young players.
But after a breakout season with the under-23s, and two first-team appearances, it didn’t translate into the role he would have hoped for in Portugal.
He made the bench three times before being omitted for game four of the Primeira Liga, and without being used throughout saw his deal cut short and another hit with Bolton in League One.
Joining close friend Conor Bradley at the University of Bolton Stadium, Beck had to work on his fitness before he was given a chance by manager Ian Evatt, who admitted: “Physically, he wasn’t where we needed him to be.”
“Playing full-back for me is probably the most difficult position, it’s the most physically demanding and you have to be very, very fit,” Evatt told the Bolton News earlier this month.
“I think he was not at the required level, but I think he is coming fast and I think the last few days of training have done him a lot of good.
“And I’m starting to see what he can really do now, which is really good.”
Beck is yet to make the matchday squad in League One, despite being available for the last three games, but he did start in the EFL Trophy clash with Tranmere on Tuesday night.
It was a tough debut for the 20-year-old Welshman, lasting 63 minutes before he was sent off in a 2-2 draw that saw Tranmere win on penalties.
The Manchester Evening News gave Beck a 6.5 rating, noting that he showed “glimpses of what he can offer in the future”, while the Bolton News gave him a 6 because he “got into some good positions but made some bad decisions once”. time he got there.” .”
It would seem that Beck’s pent-up frustration after two difficult months saw him too eager to impress, with one shot and his crosses not at their best.
However, the minutes he has been awarded should be seen as a positive as he moves closer to a place in Evatt’s side in League One.
There was intrigue when Declan John was moved from left-back to Bradley’s usual spot on the right (the Northern Irishman was given the night off), while the manager suggested Jack Iredale could move to centre-back.
Whether Evatt is clearing space for Beck to step into a first-choice role remains to be seen, but that is certainly what he and Liverpool are hoping for.
