He's Beck with boss as Reds defender signs on

DERBY County have signed Owen Beck on loan from Premier League champions Liverpool.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

The left-back has joined on a season-long loan deal from Anfield, having played under John Eustace at Blackburn Rovers last season.

Liverpool are eager for the 22-year-old to continue his development with another spell in the Championship and under a manager with whom he has thrived.

Beck becomes Derby's first loan signing of the summer and sixth in total as John Eustace’s squad continues to take shape.

Speaking before the signing was announced Eustace said: “He's a really exciting young player and I was very fortunate to work with him last year.

“I think everyone could see the growth he made playing in the Championship, and he's a super young talented player and he's one of the most exciting fullbacks in the country for his age at the moment.

“He's just a very good young player. There is a lot to improve. That's my job and the coach's job in that, whichever player comes to the football club, no matter how old or how young they are, they're coming into an environment where they're going to improve, get better, and to make sure that, on a Saturday, they're very competitive.”

Beck has stiff competition ahead of him at Anfield with Milos Kerkez, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas all vying for a position in Arne Slot's title-winners.

JOHN Eustace says Andi Weimann and Danny Batth will help drive his standards in Derby County's dressing room while also insisting the duo will bring major quality on the pitch.