Liverpool Sign Reserve Striker Ahead of Rhian Brewster Exit

Widespread reports today appear to have confirmed recent speculation that now Rhian Brewster has played his part with a substitute appearance against Everton, the 19-year-old striker will be heading off on loan to Swansea City.

Brewster had been expected to play a first team role at Liverpool this season, but in the end minutes were hard to come by for the promising young attacker—and a recent injury that kept him from starting against Everton didn’t help.

He’s fit now, though, if not quite 100% match fit, and in need of minutes. Meanwhile, the arrival of Takumi Minamino would have made playing time even harder to come by had he remained at the club for the second half of the season.

In order to allow for his imminent departure, the Reds have also signed a U23 striker today, bringing in Brentford’s Joe Hardy. Hardy is a 21-year-old from the Liverpool area who has been playing this season for Brentford B, their U23 side.

He got his start Manchester City’s academy before moving to Brentford in 2016, and while there’s always a chance Liverpool have found a hidden gem, in all likelihood Hardy’s role will be limited to the U23 level in his time at the club.

Still, with Brewster departing—plus Paul Glatzel sidelined with a long-term injury—there’s a real need for the club at that level, and Hardy fills that need while also getting the chance to develop for Europe’s current top club.