Rhian Brewster’s arrival on the big stage in the Liverpool FC shirt is an event that is eagerly anticipated by the ardent fanbase of the Merseyside giants. The forward has been nothing short of a quality attacking talent judging his exploits on the pitch at the youth level for both the England development squads as well as for the Reds.
Moreover, the 20-year old’s six-month loan stint at Swansea City in the latter half of the 2019-20 season was a hugely productive spell away from Anfield for Brewster. Besides being a regular starter for Steve Cooper’s Championship side, the main objective of his loan spell as thought out by Jurgen Klopp, the England U21 international netted 11 goals in 22 appearances for the Swans.
He was a major star presence for Swansea City on the pitch, demonstrating a brilliant knack of poacher-like ability in front of the goal despite being of such a tender age in footballing terms. Brewster’s superb run of form was a significant contributing factor behind the Swans’ being inch close towards sealing promotion to the Premier League, which unfortunately did not happen for the Welsh club.
However, since returning to link up with his Liverpool FC teammates at Melwood, and then departing on the Anfield outfit’s pre-season training camp in Austria last month, Brewster’s excellent showings have not faded away a bit.
In the Reds’ second and final pre-season outing ahead of the 2020-21 Premier League campaign for the club, Jurgen Klopp’s side found themselves trailing RB Salzburg by two goals on the cusp of half time. A star-studded Liverpool FC playing XI that included the likes of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Divock Origi, could not break down the barriers imposed by the Austrian outfit’s backline.
However, upon Brewster’s introduction on the pitch in the closing 45 minutes of the game, the Liverpool FC attacking line was given a fresh breath of air. The English starlet was in flying form over the course of the fixture, and with two goals to his name that evening, salvaged a rather fortunate draw for his side.
Fast forward a week, the FIFA U17 World Cup and Champions League-winning striker came off the bench in Liverpool FC’s Wembley showdown against Arsenal in the 2020-21 FA Community Shield clash. Brewster’s featuring in the game turned out to be a rather late decision of Klopp’s, with the 20-year old taking the field in the dying moments of the stoppage time.
A penalty shootout was the deciding factor between the two sides to lift the Charity Shield, and Brewster was chosen as third spot-kick taker for the Reds. It was indeed a very brave decision on part of the youngster to shoulder the responsibility of being up there for his team when he was required the most.
But, Brewster’s attempt at scoring past Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez from 12 yards out was not one of the forward’s proudest moments in his short playing career until now. The player’s spot-kick went flying over the goalpost, a shot stuck with a little too much power to ruffle the back of the net.
The Gunners ultimately went on to clinch the curtain-raiser trophy, with Brewster being left to rue his missed chance at contributing towards a potential victory for the Merseyside giants. However, the 20-year old’s sheer mentality would certainly allow him to bounce back from this trifling disappointment come next season.
Brewster is very much a talent to savor whenever the attacker takes the pitch, with many comparisons between his style of play being made to English legend Michael Owen. Similar to the 2001 Ballon D’Or winner, Brewster has come up through the ranks of Liverpool FC, with the club and its supporters being extremely close to his heart on a personal level as well.
Time will only tell whether the promising Reds’ forward lives up to the expectations that surround his arrival into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad in the years to come. Nevertheless, a quality attacking talent does remain at Liverpool FC’s disposal in the form of Rhian Brewster, who is waiting for his time to shine in front of the Kopites.
