OPINION
Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster was the darling of the whole nation last summer as he banged in the goals left, right and centre to lead England Under-17s to a World Cup winners medal.
The 17-year-old goal machine netted eight times across the tournament, including incredible successive hat-tricks against USA and Brazil in the knockout rounds, to win the Golden Boot.
His form on the world stage alerted the country to Brewster’s considerable talents, and when he returned to Merseyside, his was the name on everyone’s lips.
Since then, the Reds forward has unfortunately suffered a serious injury against Manchester City Under-23s in January, with the 17-year-old requiring surgery on both his ankle and his knee.
Despite this huge setback, Liverpool are reportedly stepping up talks with Brewster over his first professional contract, with his scholarship deal set to end this summer.
As reported by The Sun, Liverpool are desperate not to lose the in-demand striker, with the club showing signs that he may be given a first-team squad place next season.
It is said that Brewster’s decision will ultimately come down to the club which he believes will give him the best opportunity to make regular first-team appearances.
With Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are said to be interested, Liverpool have a fight on their hands for Brewster.
However, there is no getting away from the fact that the Reds are clearly in the best position to secure Brewster’s future at the club, and it would be unforgivable if they failed to get him to sign on.
Jurgen Klopp, who is known to be a fan of Brewster, must give the youngster all the reassurances he needs to stay at the club.
If he fails to do so, then it is clear that Brewster has big ambitions and will not hesitate to move on and look for the next stage in his young career.
Liverpool would be absolutely foolish to let that happen, with Brewster well on the way to becoming the club’s next home-grown first-team star, and they must pull out all the stops between now and the summer to avoid such a calamity.