Ian Rush’s great-nephew, Owen Beck, hopes to follow in his footsteps for club and country, as Liverpool youngster labels Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas ‘world class’ after pre-season exposure

Owen Beck wants to emulate what his great-uncle, Ian Rush, did for club and country.

Liverpool’s all-time top scorer, Rush, scored 346 goals for the Reds and is also a Wales great, making 73 appearances for his country.

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And now Beck, who is impressing in Liverpool’s youth teams, is hoping to follow in his great-uncle’s footsteps, thanks to guidance from the former striker.

The left-back was called up to the Wales under-21 squad for their upcoming internationals and speaks to Rush a lot.

“He’s done it himself and he knows what to say. It’s definitely helped me on my journey,” Beck said.

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“He was a striker and I’m a full-back, so position-wise it’s different, but the advice he gives more is more mentally.

“His main advice is working hard and never giving up. You need to be concentrated every day, training alongside the best players.”

After spending last season in the Reds’ under-23 squad, Beck signed a new five-year contract in July and was included in Jurgen Klopp’s pre-season plans this summer.

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He played friendlies during the club’s Austrian and French training camp friendlies and then featured in their high-profile friendlies against the likes of Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna at Anfield.

The 19-year-old said playing in those games was a great experience, as well as training alongside the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

“It was a proud moment, to get as many minutes as I did I was very happy with,” Beck added.

“The games at Anfield were one of the first with the fans back in and it was a great experience in front of them.

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“One of them was even on my birthday, but I don’t think the manager (Jurgen Klopp) knew that until after the game.

“I enjoyed playing alongside the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and it’s great to train with Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

“They are world-class full-backs and just to take bits out of their game into mine is going to make me a better player.

“You’ve got big expectations to live up to nowadays and the modern-day full-back has to get forward as well as defend.”