Football

Rhian Brewster sends Jurgen Klopp reminder ahead of Champions League final


Rhian Brewster sent Jurgen Klopp a timely reminder of his talents ahead of next month’s Champions League final against Tottenham .

The 19-year-old striker showed his match-winning capabilities when he scored the only goal in Liverpool under-23s’ win over their Club Brugge counterparts on Friday.

And he will be hoping he can make a similar impact from the bench in the all-English Champions League showdown on Madrid on June 1, when both Liverpool and Tottenham will be allowed to name 12 substitutes each .

Brewster is unlikely to make Jurgen Klopp’s first XI for Madrid, with Liverpool hopeful of having Roberto Firmino available to play up front alongside Premier League Golden Boot winners Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

Divock Origi is also ahead of Brewster in the pecking order, having scored two goals in the Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona as well as a winner against Newcastle United that kept the Premier League title race alive until the final day.

Rhian Brewster was on the bench for Liverpool’s Champions League win over Barcelona

But Brewster was on the bench for Liverpool’s incredible 4-0 win over Barcelona that secured a place in the final.

And with so many allowed on the subs bench under the new UEFA rule, the teenager will surely have a place even with Daniel Sturridge also in the mix.

Manager Klopp has already said Brewster will see more action next season.

And U23s boss Neil Critchley sang Brewster’s praises after he converted a second-half penalty, won by left-back Tony Gallacher, to earn his side a hard-fought result in their Belgium friendly.

Liverpool U23s manager Neil Critchley could lose Rhian Brewster to the first team next season

“It was nice to see Rhian score,” Critchley told Liverpoolfc.com .

“It was a good standard game, it was a close game. As the scoreline suggests, there was nothing in the game between the two teams and it was decided by Rhian’s penalty. It was a good end-of-season game for us.”

Klopp had to omit striker Danny Ings from his matchday squad for the final against Real Madrid last year.

Jurgen Klopp will be able to name 12 subs for the Champions League final

Under the previous rule, finalists were only allowed seven subs each, meaning Ings was not included for the defeat to Madrid in Kiev.

As well as being allowed 12 on the bench, under the new rule each team will be able to bring on a fourth substitute should the game go into extra time.

The Reds should have room for all their fringe players on the bench, including Adam Lallana and Alberto Moreno, as well as youngsters Rafael Camacho and Ben Woodburn.

Read More

Mirror Football’s Top Stories





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.