KLOPP WEIGHS UP BREWSTER BOOSTER
LIVERPOOL are set to assess Rhian Brewster during preseason in a bid to determine what the next best step is for the striker’s development, according to reports.
Swansea City secured the services of the forward on loan in January, pipping several other clubs to the signature of the Anfield youngster.
His relationship with Steve Cooper - who managed Brewster and England’s Under-17s to FIFA World Cup glory in 2017 - played a massive part in the Reds’ decision to send Brewster to South Wales.
Brewster netted four goals in his 11 Championship appearances for Swansea before the coronavirus outbreak brought a half to the 2019/20 season.
He will hope to continue his rich vein of form by firing the Swans into the play-offs when the campaign resumes, whenever that may be.
And reports on Merseyside claim Jurgen Klopp is keen to run the rule over the 20-year-old during pre-season before making a decision on what to do with Brewster for the 2020/21 season.
“I think the plan is to assess him in pre-season and make a call then,” said James Pearce of The Athletic when asked about the Reds’ plans for the attacker.
“He has impressed at Swansea but of course there’s a massive difference between doing well there, in the Championship, and making an impact for Liverpool.
“I can see another loan being the best option for his development, rather than sticking around as a squad player.”
Senior figures at the Liberty Stadium are under no illusions as to how great a role Cooper’s influence played in Swansea’s successful swoop for the frontman earlier this year.
And it is hoped that the same relationship – in addition to Brewster’s impressive form with the Swans could be key factors in convincing Liverpool to send Brewster back to SA1 next term.
However, there is an acceptance within the corridors of power at Swansea that they were hugely fortunate to sign Brewster on a temporary basis in the first place, and doing so again would prove hugely difficult.
Leeds United are among the clubs linked with the forward in recent weeks.
But with Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri among the forward talents that could depart Anfield in the transfer window, it seems Klopp isn’t ruling out the possibility of Brewster featuring in his plans in the future.
Brewster netted on his home debut for Swansea in a 2-1 win over Wigan in January and has gone on to bulge the net against Preston, Hull and Blackburn.
LIVERPOOL legend Ian Rush has warned of the potential issues of playing games from behind closed doors.
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus all top flight action has been abandoned since March 13.
Liverpool currently sit 25 points clear of nearest placed rivals Manchester City and are eyeing a first league title in 30 years. It is not yet known when football will return though clubs remain committed to resuming when it is safe to do so.
Playing behind closed doors has been mooted as a potential solution for when the Premier League returns, but Rush thinks there could be some issues with this.
The former striker, who scored a remarkable 346 goals for the Reds, told Mirror Sport: “I’ve never played a game behind closed doors so I don’t know what it’s like.
“But I don’t think it would bring the best out of me. I wasn’t the best trainer and sometimes I would just go through the motions. But in front of 40,000 or 50,000 fans I would come alive.
“If you’re playing in front of no one it begs the question, would you be any good? Would you be up for it, first of all? Would it be the same as a normal game in front of a big crowd? I don’t think so.
”It will be like playing a Sunday league game. I don’t think the standard of games will be very good. It will be hard to get -motivated even if something is at stake. Crowds bring excitement.
“If Liverpool are at home and they can win the league I want to be there even if we all have to be two metres apart.”
The Welshman continued: “But seriously, if it doesn’t happen and the Premier League is declared null and void then you have to move on and not let it affect you. This Liverpool team is the best I’ve ever seen and I’m certain they will come again.
“There’s no way Liverpool can be awarded the title without the season being finished. Although it’s understandable it will still be a shame to see games without the fans who are the lifeblood of the game.
“I wouldn’t be looking forward to the prospect of the matches being staged behind closed doors. Celebrating goals will be strange for a start without there being any crowd -interaction. But I’m certain the government will be keen to have Premier League football back in action to give people an interest even if at first they have to watch the matches on TV.”