Rhian Brewster’s future at Liverpool could rest in the hands of the unlikely ghost of Anfield’s past



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All the coaches who have worked with Rhian Brewster know that two things are very clear about the Reds’ prodigious forward: He is immensely talented and an equally lively character to have on a team.

Despite this seemingly carefree attitude, there is an iron determination to win on and off the court. The 20-year-old recovered from an ankle injury that kept him out for over a year, just as he was about to enter first-team setup in Liverpool. During that period the club grew from strength to strength, going from near rans to regular winners.

Brewster has maintained his position as a promising prospect at Anfield, complemented by a fruitful loan period at Swansea City in the Championship. Eleven goals in 22 league appearances at Liberty Stadium was a good comeback in his first test of regular senior action at any level, and suggests that he is already at the level required to play for a Premier League team.

This summer, Sheffield United is one of the few clubs tentatively linked to the England Under-21 forward, but Chris Wilder’s preference for using David McGoldrick and Oli McBurnie, two forwards whose influence extends to deeper areas of the pitch, and Lys Mousset’s apparent failure at Bramall Lane suggests that the Blades may not be a good fit for Brewster.

The young Liverpool striker could still stay at Anfield for next season, but today, he has a different forward style than Roberto Firmino. So a club employing a similar attacking setup could act as a kind of dress rehearsal for their return to Anfield in one season.

These are the best Premier League clubs that Brewster could join on loan, which could fit in and help develop his style of play.

First: Crystal Palace

Jürgen Klopp’s brand of ‘gegenpressing’ has become synonymous with the English football lexicon since his arrival in 2015. It is now a commonly understood term, according to which teams defend from the front, with attackers pressuring opponents on high. from the field.

While Liverpool have been a club famous for this approach under Klopp, the German’s influence has spread to several other Premier League clubs, many of whom have started to push aggressively in the final third.

However, Crystal Palace is not one of those clubs, it ranked 18th in attacking third pressures during 2019-20, according to FBRef.com. However, their leader Jordan Ayew was responsible for the sixth highest pressure in the entire league during the same period. The Ghanaian works exceptionally hard, closing in on defenders, looking to free up players like Wilfried Zaha, and now Eberechi Eze, taking advantage of a loose pass.

Brewster at Selhurst Park could be expected to play a similar role, charging opponents in areas they feel comfortable operating in, putting a lot of pressure in the middle and attacking thirds. In the meantime, he would be served by two of the league’s most exciting ball carriers, direct threats Zaha and Eze, whose foot-ball progression capabilities are arguably the best in the league. It would be a kind of replica of what Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah do at Anfield.

Being the efficient finisher that he is, Brewster could thrive on that serve and would offer a respite to Ayew, who missed what amounted to just three games for Palace last season. It may seem like an odd fit, given Liverpool’s knowledge of Roy Hodgson, but no club could better replicate the role of the three forwards.

Second: Brighton & Hove Albion

While the long-term prospect may be to turn Brewster into a pressing machine to replace Firmino when the time comes, a last season on loan to a team that caters to his current stronger attributes could do wonders for the 20-year-old. years.

Brewster is still in the infancy of his career and would hypothetically embark on his first full campaign in the Premier League. A healthy goal comeback would not only allay any concerns that he is suitable for this level, but it would also reassure himself and his coach that he is a Premier League striker.

Consequently, Brighton would be a complementary stylistic complement to the winner of the U-17 World Cup. No team outside of the top eight completed more passes to the penalty area than Brighton last season, according to FBRef. While at Swansea, Brewster made the most of his opportunities, often showing up at an opportune moment to score in a game where he had otherwise been anonymous.

There are parallels there with Brighton’s Neal Maupay, another striker who scored a lot in the second division. Graham Potter’s Seagulls may not be as active a team as Liverpool or Southampton, but they are a forward-thinking team that creates opportunity.

Furthermore, any concerns about Brewster’s ability to play the role of Firmino in the future should take a backseat for the time being, as the physical demands of playing in a Premier League attack will be a step up from youth football. and championship.

Third: Southampton

The Saints under ‘mini-Klopp’ Ralph Hasenhüttl were one of the most entertaining lower half teams throughout 2020. Rebounding from their infamous 9-0 loss to Leicester City, Hasenhüttl has the full backing of his squad and they seem ready for a better campaign than the last.

Liverpool were the 2019-20 Premier League pressure champion, putting more pressure in the attacking third than any other team. It was closely followed by Southampton, who also exerted notably more pressure on the defensive and middle thirds, to account for handovers more often than Liverpool.

However, spending a year on the South Coast with a manager whose principles align well with Klopp could prove very beneficial for Brewster. He would be expected to work hard to lead the Saints attack, while also experiencing proportionally fewer opportunities than could be afforded him elsewhere.

The only concern is the depth of the Southampton squad. On offense, Hasenhüttl can also call in Danny Ings, who would like to be the first choice heading into the season, as well as Che Adams, another former championship shooter, Shane Long and his old teammate Michael Obafemi.

Overall, Brewster’s outlook should be positive – there are a host of Premier League clubs that ideally would like to take him on loan. In terms of his development, it would be better for him to sign for a club that will provide him with guaranteed minutes, and preferably a setup that will complement his attributes or prepare him for his role as a substitute for Firmino.

If he remains at Anfield, he will be the endorsement of a player in his prime at 28, who was involved in every league game last season. A loan would be the best, but it must be a well thought out measure.



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