The Premier League Sides Who Should Be Looking at Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster

With opportunities in the Liverpool first team at a premium, Rhian Brewster dropped down to the Championship in January as he joined Swansea City on loan.

The 20-year-old’s incredible run of form saw him notch a goal every other game in his 22 appearances, helping propel the Swans from mid-table into an unlikely play-off place.

Not only were the youngster’s goalscoring stats impressive, his overall play was also a key component in Steve Cooper’s side’s end-of-season flourish - with his intense work rate and high-pressing game becoming a feature of their play.

After just half a season cutting his teeth in the second tier, the Liverpool man already looks destined for bigger and better things.

However, with Roberto Firmino a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI, Brewster may again find himself seeking a temporary home, and there should be no end of Premier League clubs looking to offer him a foothold in England’s top tier.

Let’s take a look at the clubs who should be monitoring the youngster and could benefit from taking the England Under-21 international on loan this summer.

1. Leeds United

90min exclusively revealed recently that newly-promoted Leeds are interested in signing Girona forward Cristhian Stuani.

While the former Middlesbrough man is a perfect fit for Marcelo Bielsa, a commanded fee of at least £20m represents a significant outlay for a player set to turn 34 in October.

Brewster would offer similar qualities to the Uruguay international including a good work rate and clinical finishing, though a loan move would afford Leeds the chance to use their summer budget to strengthen in other areas.

Bielsa’s use of the loan market last season was a huge factor in the Whites’ promotion – with Ben White and Jack Harrison proving instrumental – and the signing of Brewster could be yet another masterstroke.

2. Crystal Palace

Despite another solid Premier League campaign, it’s clear to see where Roy Hodgson needs to improve if his Crystal Palace side are to push on.

A measly return of just 31 goals in 38 league games – a total only bottom club Norwich City failed to surpass – is far from impressive from a team looking to ensure survival struggles are a thing of the past.

While Hodgson seems desperate to find a big man to act as a foil for the Eagles’ flying wingers, the fine form of Jordan Ayew saw him rack up more appearances and more goals than any other Palace player last campaign.

Brewster is never going to be a Christian Benteke-like focal point, but if Hodgson is looking for backup for Ayew then the Liverpool man could be just the type of player he needs.

The 20-year-old would also add some much-needed youth to an ageing Palace side. At 29 years and 336 days the Eagles fielded the oldest average starting XI in the 2019/20 campaign, something which Hodgson will know needs to be addressed.

3. Sheffield United

Another side whose Achilles Heel was finding the back of the net.

It seems wrong to criticise a team that finished ninth in their first year back in the top flight, but Chris Wilder’s side scored less than relegated Bournemouth last season and he’ll be looking to improve on their 39 goals next campaign.

No Sheffield United player managed more than six in all competitions in 2019/20, and Brewster’s eye for goal could be just what Wilder needs should he feel the need to bolster his forward options.

While all of the Blades strikers offer industry and work rate, Billy Sharp is the only one who you would class as a clinical finisher. At 34, the club captain is rumoured to be heading for pastures new this summer, and Brewster could be the perfect replacement.

4. Newcastle United

With their Saudi-backed takeover failing to materialise, Newcastle fans are coming to terms with no longer being potentially the richest club in Europe (and perhaps more disastrously - Mike Ashley is still at the helm).

After a significant outlay last summer including the £40m signing of Joelinton, it remains to be seen whether the Magpies owner will be willing to dig deep again this summer - but it seems unlikely.

Steve Bruce may well be forced to scour the loan market in order to bolster his frontline, and Brewster is probably as good as it gets in terms of temporary signings.

Despite having only made a handful of appearances for Liverpool, the 20-year-old will have benefitted from training alongside top players at a big club, and should be used to the pressure which comes with playing for a club of Newcastle’s stature.

He may not be the marquee signing the Toon Army has been craving, but Brewster could prove to be a worthy addition to the Magpies squad.

5. Brighton and Hove Albion

Having been heavily reliant on Glenn Murray for their first two seasons in the Premier League, Brighton’s purchase of Neal Maupay has finally eased the burden on the 36-year-old.

Maupay notched double figures in his first season in the English top flight, though no other player even threatened the Frenchman in the race to be the Seagulls’ top scorer.

Defensive pairing Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster finished joint-third in Brighton’s goalscoring charts, with the club only scoring more than once on three occasions in 2020.

Graham Potter has undoubtedly changed the ethos at Brighton since his arrival in May 2019, and Brewster would fit into his system perfectly.

The Brighton frontline is full of youth and energy, with Maupay often playing alongside 20 year-old Aaron Connolly and more recently 21-year-old Alexis Mac Allister.

While Brewster may not have any top-flight experience under his belt, his spell at Swansea proved he doesn’t lack enthusiasm and he’d be a great fit at the AMEX Stadium.