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Liverpool news: Rhian Brewster makes ‘world class’ Roberto Firmino admission
LIVERPOOL youngster Rhian Brewster has admitted he does not expect to replace “world class” striker Roberto Firmino as Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice No 9 any time soon but is aiming to make his impression on the first-team this season.
Rhian Brewster scores HAT-TRICK for England U17
The 18-year-old signed his first professional contract with the Merseyside outfit despite interest from Juventus, Borussia Monchengladbach and Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool feared that the teenager could be lured away from Anfield and even cancelled a pre-season friendly with Gladbach having believed them to have illegally tapped up Brewster over a move to the Bundesliga.
Brewster is viewed as one of Liverpool’s stand-out young talents having impressed at every level since joining from Chelsea at the age of 14.
And he will make the step up to the first team when he returns from injury later this year with Klopp having long enthused about the forward, who he declared is “on a very good way” and is “a wonderfully skilled boy, real striker, good finisher, [with a] fantastic work ethic.”
But while Brewster is aware he won’t be displacing Firmino - who scored a career-best 27 goals last term - up top this term, he at least hopes to make his maiden senior appearance.
“I know I’m not going to be the number one striker, I’m not stupid,” the England under-18 international told JOE.
“We’ve got Bobby [Roberto Firmino], who is world class and is so intelligent in the way he leads the attack.
“I am constantly learning from him, looking at why he’s one of the first names on the teamsheet.
“I pay attention to the way he times his movements to draw defenders, how he presses and all that, but without losing sight of my own strengths as well. I believe you should always be focused on improving, but always be yourself too - you can’t just copy another player.
I know I’m not going to be the number one striker, I’m not stupid.
“I can play anywhere in the front three and we’ve got Mo [Salah] and Sadio [Mane] in the other two spots, which is pure fire. All three are at the very top of the game, among the best players in the world.
“I’m still young and I know I’m not going be in the starting 11 week in, week out, it’s unreasonable. I just want the minutes to show I can be a really good option for the manager and to help my growth as a Liverpool player.
“If there’s an injury, a suspension, fatigue or any other issue, I want the club to feel like they can trust me to step in and I want to provide whatever support I can to the team.
“The boss has told me many times that he believes in me, that he rates my game and my attitude.
“He has said there will be opportunities. I did assess other options, but right now, I think I’m good enough to push for a place around the first team.
“All I need is to get fully fit again and be given the chance to prove him right, prove myself right, contribute in the best way I can and make everyone proud.”
Brewster’s only senior involvement so far was being an unused substitute in Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Anfield in April 2017.
The young attacker, who won the Golden Boot at the U17 World Cup last summer, is currently out until the festive period after undergoing ankle and knee operations on damaged ligaments.