Rhian Brewster can show us what he’s capable of when Liverpool host Arsenal on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.
Brewster played in the last round, of course, but never got going against MK Dons. It was a performance that disappointed, seeing as we’ve been waiting some time for Brewster.
The 19-year-old missed last season through injury but it back to finally take a place in the squad. Jurgen Klopp labelled him a ‘new player’ in the summer – he’s supposed to have some sort of impact this year.
So far, that looks most likely to come in the Carabao Cup, given he’s getting the ‘new signing treatment’. Brewster is yet to feature in the Premier League or Champions League, for one thing and looks as though he needs to earn a place.
He didn’t do that against MK Dons but Arsenal may suit Brewster more.
The packed defence that MK Dons put up left Brewster closed off. He struggled to find any space in a congested box or in behind because of the deep line. He’s not exactly the target-man type and so he never really got going.
Simply, that’s not the kind of game he will suit. Not at this stage in his career, anyway.
Arsenal won’t do that, however. While they won’t be gung-ho, their players, and even their young ones, will want to push forward and up the pitch.
There will be far more space for Brewster as a result and this will be a much better opportunity for him. The players may be slightly better – although there won’t be much in it as this will surely be Arsenal’s second string, too – but he’ll prefer their playing style.
It should be games like this that Brewster enjoys. Hopefully, we see a good example of that on Wednesday.
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