World Cup Heroics Just the Beginning for Rhian Brewster

Rhian Brewster was England’s hero at the U17 World Cup, winning the Golden Boot and leading the nation to their first ever victory at that level. It’s a performance that has his name on the lips of every Liverpool fan, and a lot is expected from the young striker who made the switch from Chelsea to Anfield in 2015.

Now, at least according to Liverpool U18 coach Steven Gerrard, the way forward is through patience—and not getting carried away thinking that top scorer at the U17 World Cup means your job is done and you’ve made it as a professional footballer. There’s real belief in Brewster, but his journey is just starting.

“It should give him great confidence [but] my job and everyone else’s job at the club is to keep his feet on the ground and hopefully push him in a direction where he can be successful,” Gerrard noted. “We want him back, we want him firing for the U23s and, basically, making sure Jurgen [Klopp] is taking notice.

“That’s all he can do. He’s got to be patient, but not just Rhian—everyone has. We’ve got wonderful footballers in the first team, especially in the attacking positions, so it’s not easy breaking through. These kids have to be world class now. If you’re very good, you’ll probably be a little bit short, especially in the top six.”

Liverpool have some talent at the youth level or just breaking through to the first team that looks to be at that level. Players like Ben Woodburn, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominic Solanke look like they’ll have long first team futures at the club. And Brewster could soon join them. But there’s still work to do.

Gerrard added: “The message for Rhian is, ‘Well done. You’ve been superb and deserve all the plaudits you get. How do you improve now? How do you push yourself and try to move people out of your way that are above you in the pecking order?’ That’s the challenge for him moving forward.”