Liverpudlian beginning to pine for Charlie's partner (6)
I believe the answer is:
spouse
'partner' is the definition.
('spouse' can be a synonym of 'partner')
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
(Other definitions for spouse that I've seen before include "Partner in marriage" , "Possibly wife" , "mate" , "Very hot and dry" , "Married partner" .)