Brewster: Facing Liverpool “Going to be a Bit Weird”

The former Liverpool striker reveals his feelings about facing
his former club and his respect for James Milner.

There will be a familiar face suiting up for the opposition when
Liverpool kickoff against Sheffield United at Anfield tomorrow. Rhian Brewster,
who completed a £23.5 million move from Liverpool to the Blades
earlier this month, will be looking to make his second Premier
League appearance for his new club. With Sheffield United’s injury
woes, their new record signing striker may even make his first
start against the Reds.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Brewster gave his
thoughts on how it would feel to face off against his former club
so soon after his transfer.

“It’s going to be a bit weird,” Brewster said. “But it will be a
nice moment, just to see everybody. I didn’t get to say goodbye
because it [the transfer] happened so quick.”

Brewster is a promising young talent that spent 6 years at
Liverpool before his transfer. Unfortunately, he needed playing
time to continue developing his game, but there simply was not a
clear path to those needed minutes. Though he was ultimately
surplus to manager Jürgen Klopp’s needs, Brewster spoke of the
praise he received from his former teammates, and the importance of
continuing to grow as a player rather than resting on those
laurels.

“All the players say how good of a finisher I am and stuff like
that. Coming from them, that is amazing,” Brewster proudly said.
“That means a lot, but that’s not for me to take and be ok with.
It’s for me to carry on doing what I’m doing, carry on working hard
and practicing on it.”

The 20-year-old England youth international then went on to talk
about how he admired and took inspiration from the work rate of the
Liverpool squad.

‘Not one person slacks off and I’ll always remember that. Even
if I feel I want to [slack off].”

James Milner, the very embodiment of a tireless
work ethic and commitment to fitness, was especially influential on
the young Englishman.

“For example, James Milner. He’s in his 30s and still going
strong. That’s for a reason. Because he is always in the gym,
eating right, doing everything he can to be the best. That’s one
thing that I’ll 100% take from Liverpool and James Milner.”

As a player who has already experienced the frustration of
missing large chunks of time due to a serious injury, it’s easy to
see why Brewster would admire Milner and aspire to replicate his
career longevity.

“I would 100% take that [longevity] and look what he is doing in
his 30s and why can’t I do that?”

Though Brewster has now moved on to a new club, it’s very clear
that Liverpool left a lasting impression on him. He seems
determined to use those lessons learned to aid the development of
his career going forward.

“The standards, they set the bar very high and that’s something
I will never forget and hopefully people looking at me when I’m
older, they will hopefully feel the same way.’