In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, Liverpool are set to accelerate their approach for RB Salzburg attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino.
However, will the European champion’s pursuit of the 24-year-old playmaker convince Rhian Brewster to leave Anfield?
Brewster, 19, has only made two appearances for Liverpool this season after recovering from a lengthy injury that saw the teenager out of action for almost a year. The England U21 international has been linked with a potential move to Borussia Dortmund as reported by the Guardian.
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – DECEMBER 10: Takumi Minamino of Salzburg looks on during the UEFA Champions League group E match between RB Salzburg and Liverpool FC at Red Bull Arena on December 10, 2019 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
The potential addition of Minamino doesn’t necessarily oppose a threat to Brewster’s current role for the team with the Japan international likely to be used as a midfielder as opposed to a front-man. However, it does epitomise Liverpool’s status as one of the most attractive entities in world football.
Jurgen Klopp’s team are now seen as the ideal platform for players to challenge for the best trophies across Europe. The Reds are looking to make it three successive Champions League finals after securing passage to the knockout stages following their 2-0 win at Salzburg on Tuesday.
Brewster is yet to feature for Liverpool in either the Premier League or Champions League this season. The Reds’ U23’s captain Curtis Jones was handed his league debut on Saturday with Harvey Elliott also making the bench against Bournemouth.
Brewster was absent from Klopp’s travelling squad to the south coast last weekend and the former Chelsea academy star could see the success of his international compatriot as a reason to be potentially looking elsewhere.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – DECEMBER 10: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his teams first goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Borussia Dortmund and Slavia Praha at Signal Iduna Park on December 10, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho – who was alongside Brewster was part of England U17’s World Cup triumph in 2017 – was in a similar predicament to Brester during his early days at Manchester City. The 19-year-old traded the Premier League for the Bundesliga in 2017 and has since been a revelation for Borussia Dortmund which could convince Brewster to look towards a similar path.
Liverpool’s stock will not be slowing down anytime soon and off the back of the Times’ reported Minimino deal, the club will not be short of incomings over the coming months. If Brewster is serious about establishing a successful professional career he could be forgiven for thinking his best options might lie outside of Merseyside.