Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones respond as defender makes ‘dream’ admission

Liverpool defender Owen Beck revealed his delight at making his Premier League debut against Bournemouth on Sunday

Liverpool youngster Owen Beck admitted he realised a dream by making his Premier League debut in the closing stages of Sunday’s 4-0 win at AFC Bournemouth.

The 21-year-old defender, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Scottish Premiership side Dundee, replaced fellow academy graduate Conor Bradley in the 83rd minute shortly before Darwin Nunwz netted a fourth goal for the Reds.

The Uruguayan forward and Diogo Jota bagged two goals apiece to seal an emphatic victory on the South Coast and extend their side’s lead at the top of the table to five points.

Taking to Instagram after the game, the left back who has been on the club’s books since under-13s level and is the great nephew of Anfield icon Ian Rush, said: “[It was a] special moment making my Premier League debut for the club I’ve supported my whole life! [A] dream come true.”

Beck’s Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones were among those to respond to the defender’s message, with fellow players also offering their praise.

Beck was recalled to Anfield earlier this month after Kostas Tsimikas suffered a serious shoulder injury in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal last month, further depleting the Reds’ left-back options after a similar injury was sustained by Andy Robertson while on international duty with Scotland back in November.

Recent speculation has seen Beck linked with another temporary move away from Anfield this month, with former club Stoke City one side to be credited with an interest in the Wales international. As ruled by FIFA though, players are unable to play for more than two clubs in the same season, which rules out a switch to the Championship outfit after appearing for Liverpool on Sunday.

Beck was one of five academy graduates to take to the field for Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League leaders on Sunday, with Curtis Jones and Bradley both starting, while Bobby Clark and Kaide Gordon joined Beck in earning minutes from the bench.