Give Stevie G Kop job
Brewster to get his big chance
RHIAN BREWSTER is out to repay Jurgen Klopp’s faith in him after the Liverpool boss revealed his plans for the young striker.
The 19-year-old is set to make his senior debut in tonight’s Carabao Cup tie at MK Dons after recovering from a serious ankle injury which kept him sidelined for 15 months.
He has scored two goals in four games for the club’s Under-23 side this season as he bids to force his way into Klopp’s thinking.
Brewster, who said he revels in the German’s management style, is confident he will play his part as the Reds compete on four fronts.
“Klopp spoke to me and told me, ‘You’re going to get your chance this year.’ I’m just waiting for that chance now so that I can prove him right,” said Brewster at the FIFA 20 World Premiere.
“He’s not one of those managers you don’t want to speak to, he’s a great manager, so down to earth. It’s just about getting game time.
“Playing for the Under-23s is good because I was out for so long, so he’s trying to put me into it [the first team] slowly and not just throw me in there.”
Daniel Sturridge left Anfield for Trabzonspor this summer after his contract expired, leaving the Reds a striker short.
Klopp opted against signing a replacement and Brewster sees this as a boost to his chances and that an opportunity is around the corner.
“One less striker gives you more opportunity to break into the first team, so, of course, Sturridge going means there is more opportunity for me to play,” he added.
“You look at every single signing and Klopp not signing another striker, it seems he has faith in me to do a job as well.”
Liverpool were beaten 2-0 by Napoli in the Champions League last Tuesday, but Brewster failed to make the bench despite Divock Origi being out injured.
He admits he was upset not to be named in the squad, but believes it is part of the manager’s long-term plan for him.
“Of course, you’re always disappointed not to get into the team but the manager has a plan for me and if that plan was not to be on the bench, then that’s what it is,” he added.
“You look to every game and think, ‘This might be my opportunity.’
“But the manager has something for me and so I’m going to wait. I can’t wait to be involved in it.”
From Page 54 whether the presence of Kop legend Kenny Dalglish as a director is daunting, Klopp said: “Kenny and Stevie have both been a really big support from day one.
“If Liverpool were to sack me tomorrow, then maybe Kenny would be the first choice to replace me.
“But they would probably bring Stevie from Glasgow. If you ask who should follow me, I’d say Stevie. I help him whenever I can.”
Klopp has laid the foundations for a new era of dominance at Anfield, with last season’s Champions League winners heading the Premier League title race.
Before taking the job at Ibrox, Gerrard made 710 appearances for Liverpool between 1998 and 2015. LIVERPOOL will have to head off a High Court challenge by current kit sponsor New Balance to strike a new deal with Nike.
The Reds have agreed in principle the most lucrative contract in their history, worth at least £70m a year.
But New Balance have a “matching” clause to extend their deal if they offer the same – and it could have to be resolved in court.