Keith Andrews has told Sky Sports that he has been led to believe that Liverpool coaches have extremely high hopes for Rhian Brewster.
Liverpool have loaned out Brewster to Swansea City until the end of the season, and the youngster has performed well in the Championship.
There are now suggestions that he could be used in Liverpool’s first-team next season.
And Andrews feels that Brewster could be a more attacking replacement for Roberto Firmino, although he has warned that the Reds need to give him game time.
“One thing I would throw into that equation is that front three that Liverpool play. Roberto Firmino is not a natural centre forward; if he wanted to go with a natural-type centre forward then this lad fits the bill very well,” Andrews said.
“I’m led to believe they do have a lot of belief in him, that he can go onto bigger and better things, but I just think it comes down to that. Can they guarantee him enough experience?
“They don’t want him stagnating. He had glimpses in the Carabao Cup, played well and was getting experience through that but he needs to play football.”
Brewster’s problem at Liverpool is that he has so much competition for a first-team spot.
It is hard to see the academy graduate pushing Sadio Mane, Mo Salah or Roberto Firmino out of Liverpool’s first-team on a regular basis in the immediate future, so Jurgen Klopp has to play a careful balancing act.
Although Brewster does need game time, Klopp will only want to give him opportunities if he can prove he can perform to a very high level.
Brewster has scored four goals in 11 Championship appearances for Swansea so far.
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