For much of last season, Rhian Brewster was something of a forgotten prospect at Liverpool.
The last couple of years have been a bit of a rollercoaster for the player. He was a key player in the England team that won the U17 World Cup in 2017, claiming the tournament golden boot in the process.
Just when it looked like he may push for a first team place at Liverpool, disaster struck. Brewster suffered a major ankle injury playing the U23s in January of 2018, which would ultimately keep him out for over a year.
It was a time when he so nearly left the club, before eventually turning down overtures from Germany to sign a first professional contract at Anfield. He then began to work his way to full fitness.
The striker would go on to be a part of the match day squad on a number of occasions towards the end of last season, including the Champions League final in Madrid.
Now fully recovered, he is very much in the plans of Jurgen Klopp for the upcoming campaign. He has already netted against Bradford in preseason, and will have a role to play at Liverpool.
https://youtu.be/gAWqfrdUQVQ
Despite having just turned 19-years old, and playing at the current European champions, he is now ready to make an impact.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, former Red Jason McAteer compared him to some legendary Liverpool strikers.
His progression is coming along nicely, it's a great learning curve for him. He's had that injury but he now looks like he's fully fit and come back from it.
You can see bits of Rushy [Ian Rush] in him, the way he runs, the way he closes people down. Also, bits of Robbie Fowler in his finishing.
If he turns out half as good as those two, I'm sure we've got a real player on our hands!
The preseason will be key for Brewster as he seeks to acclimate to the quicker pace of senior football. It is something he will need to learn quickly.
That is something recognised by McAteer, who believes he has fit in very well thus far.
Mixing with the first-team lads will do him no harm and the experience he'll gain from being here on tour will be great for him.
You don't quite know how they're going to settle when they're in and amongst that big crowd, but at the minute he looks the part.
He's moving in the right direction - he's athletic, he's quick, he likes to hang on the shoulder...
I watched him against Tranmere really closely, and 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.
