SHOOT for the Stars: Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster

Here at Shoot! we endeavour to keep a watchful eye over the emerging talents in world football and keep you in the know in terms of who you should be watching out for in the years to come.

This month’s wonderkid is Rhian Brewster – who is being tipped to star for his club and country for many years to come.

The 17-year-old almost became Liverpool’s first player born in the 21st century to play for the club when the forward was named as a substitute against Crystal Palace back in April 2017.

Despite manager Jurgen Klopp failing to hand the highly-rated teenager his first-team debut during the 2-1 home defeat, his emergence into the senior side towards the end of last season demonstrates his raw potential.

Born on April 1, 2000, Brewster joined The Reds’ youth academy from Premier League rivals Chelsea in July 2015, before quickly rising to prominence within the club’s various youth levels, impressing senior boss Klopp from afar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ0LtQUrZSw

Also an England Under-17 international, the forward celebrated his Under-23 debut by scoring in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town in the Premier League Cup back in January 2017.

Overall, Brewster endured a meteoric 2016-17 campaign. Come the start, the teenager hadn’t made his Under-18 bow.

Fast forward to the end of the term, Brewster shot up into the Under-23 ranks, sat on the senior substitute bench at Anfield, before dazzling for the Young Lions at the UEFA European Under-17 Championships – scoring three times as England reached the final, before losing to Spain on penalties.

Fellow youngster Ben Woodburn is currently the name on everyone’s lips inside Anfield, after the 17-year-old winger’s breathtaking impact for Wales during the international break. However, despite Brewster’s talent being kept more under wraps by Klopp & Co, the striker’s future looks incredibly bright too – with some reports comparing his uprising to that of Reds legend Michael Owen. That is some praise!

Liverpool manager Klopp had this to say on the London-born gem back in April, “Rhian has made outstanding steps in recent months.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“The Talent Group trains here once a week, he will grow. Physically he’s strong and a wonderfully skilled boy.

“He didn’t have a suit before the Palace game so I am sure that was nice for him! He’s 17 and plays like he’s 21.

“A real striker, good finisher, fantastic work ethic.”

Brewster has already netted two goals and registered three assists in just three Premier League 2 outings for The Reds this season – including a goal and an assist in his last two successive appearances against Sunderland and Arsenal respectively.

Gifted to operate on either flank, or down the centre, of a three-man front line; Brewster is a versatile forward who is set to serve Liverpool for years to come, and could save the Premier League club millions in future transfer windows with his prolific potential.

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