Liverpool starlet Rhian Brewster will be going nowhere.
That’s according to former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer, who says the U17 World Cup winner is now ahead of Divock Origi in the pecking order.
McAteer, who made 139 appearances for Reds, has been watching Jurgen Klopp’s squad as they prepare in Austria for the defense of their Premier League title and he has been mightily impressed.
There have been rumours circulating for weeks that the young English striker will be sent out on a season-long loan despite impressing for Swansea City with 11 goals in 22 games last term. Six Premier League outfits were apparently lining up offers with Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur amongst them.
It had seemed that Klopp himself thought a deal away from Anfield would be best for the player’s development. However, a major stumbling block for any move within the Premier League would be the player’s guaranteed games time.
The boss was apparently waiting on offers from Bundesliga teams but it seems Rhian Brewster’s performances in pre-season may have totally changed his mind.
"Talking to the Echo, McAteer said: “Has come back (from Swansea) with a bit of a swagger. I believe he is training really, really well. I think he has now stepped a little bit ahead of Divock Origi, which might raise some eyebrows.”"
The player has torn Liverpool fans in two in recent months, with one side saying he is ready to blooded into the first team, while the others feel that he needs more time and the club needs to splash some cash for cover upfront.
While Jurgen Klopp would surely have loved to bring in another world-class striker as he chases back to back titles, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have tied his hands a little financially and Brewster could be the answer.
The forward is sure to get some minutes in the upcoming friendly matches and you can’t help thinking that his performances there will decide his fate for the coming season.
A strong showing against Arsenal in the community shield next week and it could mean the end of our search for serious backup for the front three.