Rhian Brewster hasn’t started a Premier League game for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and a loan spell at Crystal Palace could be the making of him.
22 years ago, a fresh-faced 18-year-old by the name of Michael Owen burst onto the scene with a goal on his first appearance in Liverpool colours.
For Rhian Brewster, however, it has been something of a slow build so far. Arguably the most exciting young striker to rise through the ranks at Anfield since the legendary number ten, Brewster has played 180 minutes for the Reds first-team though, unlike Owen, he has had to wait for a maiden career strike.
But the similarities are unavoidable. Brewster shares the same wily movement, rapid pace and instinctive finishing that marked Owen out as a special talent from day one. It’s a comparison Jason McAteer, the outspoken former Reds full-back, couldn’t help but make himself when seeing Brewster in action.
“He’s athletic, he’s quick, he likes to hang on the shoulder,” McAteer told Sky Sports in July (17th, 8pm) after Brewster scored twice in a 6-0 pre-season thrashing of Tranmere Rovers, suggesting that the teenager has more than a ‘little bit of Owen’ about him.
“When the ball comes into him he makes the ball stick; his decision-making his really, really good. He’s not frightened to have a pop when it opens up for him.
“He looks very, very good, but he’s still got a long way to go.”
According to The Sun, Crystal Palace are interested in offering Brewster a short-term loan spell at Selhurst Park in the new Year. And while Jurgen Klopp might be against the idea of rubber-stamping a short-term deal for a player who could have a big role to play in a gruelling season, it doesn’t take a genius to work out why The Eagles are so keen.
Roy Hodgson’s side haven’t had a reliable goalscorer for years and, if Brewster has half the talent of Owen, he should represent a substantial upgrade on a bumbling Christian Benteke.
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