Exclusive: Kevin Phillips tips West Brom to sign Liverpool 20-year-old on loan
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has tipped West Brom to target Liverpool forward Rhian Brewster if they win promotion to the Premier League.
Brewster, 20, is one of the hottest young prospects on the books at Anfield but as Liverpool’s attack is so strong, Phillips does not see him being able to break into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans next season.
The England Under-21 international joined Swansea on loan in January and has since scored four goals in 11 Championship appearances.
West Brom will probably look to strengthen their striker options if they win promotion from the Championship and as Phillips believes that Brewster can do a job in the top-flight, he reckons the Baggies could be in the pursuit to sign him.
“Is he going to play in that team every week next season? No, he is not,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“Tammy Abraham got his chance at Chelsea in extraordinary circumstances and you will not see that at Liverpool.
“It is a tough one because next season the same three will be up top and Klopp might add to that. It might make it even more difficult but the future looks bright.
“He might be one that a promoted team might target, someone like a West Brom. He is not out of his depth at that level.”
Brewster is unlikely to get much game-time for Liverpool if he returns to Anfield and stays there for next season – whenever that starts.
Roberto Firmino is very much Klopp’s first-choice striker and Divock Origi is always there if the Brazilian is unable to play.
Brewster is probably the third or fourth choice striker on Merseyside and his development will stall if he stays at Anfield and plays a bit-part role.
It would make sense for him to go out on loan again next season and it will be interesting to see if a team like West Brom does try to land him.
In other West Brom news, Albion’s turnover plunged by £54million after relegation.