Could Rhian Brewster dislodge Divock Origi as back-up to Liverpool’s front three?
Origi #Origi
148 shares
10
Viewcomments
If it really is to be a silent transfer window at Liverpool this summer, it could hand Rhian Brewster the biggest chance of all to kick-start his Anfield career.
Despite Premier League and Champions League titles being delivered in the last two seasons, Jurgen Klopp is not expected to carry out major surgery to the ranks that have served him so valiantly across the last two seasons as the club count the cost of the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, he will turn to his youth players in the hope that they might follow the trail blazed by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Neco Williams and Curtis Jones have already made their first Premier League starts but Klopp could be forgiven if he feels most excited by what he is seeing in the league below.
Rhian Brewster has made a big impression at Swansea, where he is on loan from Liverpool
Under Steve Cooper’s guidance, Brewster has so far scored eight goals in 17 appearances
Brewster could put pressure on the under-performing Divock Origi (right) back at Anfield
Brewster, who has been at Swansea since January, has fired in eight goals in 17 appearances for the Welsh club, spearheading a late surge towards the Championship play-off places. With three games remaining in their season, they are four points outside the top six, but have a game in hand, against fifth-placed Nottingham Forest tonight. Win that and Swansea will be breathing down the necks of both Forest and fierce rivals Cardiff too.
If Brewster can propel the Swans into the top six at the expense of Neil Harris’s side, he’ll always have cult status at the Liberty Stadium. But for his Liverpool fortunes, it could be enough to show Klopp he is ready for the first-team fold next season.
The 20-year-old striker was handed his first appearances under the German this season in the League Cup before moving to Wales and was an unused substitute last season when Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final second leg.
‘He’s ready. There is a big chance,’ Klopp said when asked whether Brewster would feature against the Spanish giants. ‘Rhian has been in just outstanding shape for the last three or four weeks, but the other players were there as well.
‘It’s just good so now it’s really nice in a difficult situation that we can give him that spot in the squad and have him there to bring on as a striker.’
As it was, he didn’t make it onto the pitch as Liverpool defied all the odds by progressing. But Klopp’s words were glowing and he will unquestionably be impressed by Brewster’s impact since moving for a taste of first-team action.
Brewster’s form has given Swansea hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs
The 20-year-old could finish his time in Wales with a flourish if they beat Cardiff to the top six
Brewster underlined his potential with golden boot as England won the U17 World Cup in 2017
Fittingly for anyone who wants to play under the Reds boss, Brewster’s work-rate has stood out at Swansea. While he has a clinical scoring record, it is the hard yards off of the ball that have also been noticed.
He made his first-team debut against Cardiff – a baptism of fire for any Swansea player – and while he didn’t get much of a sniff at goal in a 0-0 draw, he soon hit the back of the net in his next match, against Wigan.
Brewster is playing under a manager with who he has known great success. Steve Cooper was Brewster’s boss when the forward led England to Under-17 World Cup glory with eight goals, a tally that won him the Golden Boot.
Phil Foden at Manchester City was a team-mate of Brewster’s in that set-up and another player who has had to bide his time in anticipation of a first-team run in the Premier League. Now, with David Silva set to depart City at the end of the season, it looks time.
Brewster will be watching youngsters such as Curtis Jones getting chances at Anfield to play
Brewster was an unused substitute when Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0 back in 2019
His work-rate is impressing as much as his finishing ability, showing a key attribute for Klopp
The same could apply to Brewster here, now he can mix some first-team experience with his raw talent. Divock Origi, a hero in the 4-0 win over Barcelona where Brewster was benched, has struggled to score this season when Klopp has handed him game time.
The Belgian has scored just five times in 39 appearances in all competitions, an underwhelming return even if most of his minutes come as a substitute.
There are concerns that Liverpool will rue not reinforcing their front line from a position of strength this summer. But Brewster could be the ready-made shot in the arm that Klopp wants in his side.
Advertisement
Share or comment on this article: