Former Liverpool wonderkid is finally starting to realise potential five years after leaving Reds - opinion

03/29/2025 06:00 AM

Liverpool fans will likely be hoping Trent Alexander-Arnold becomes the latest player to hit hard times after leaving their club this summer.

Alexander-Arnold looks set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, with Reds supporters left fuming over the manner of his exit.

Once he does leave the comfort of Anfield, the pressure will be on for Trent to show that he can thrive away from Liverpool.

In recent years, that has been easier said than done for all manner of players. An exit from the Reds has often led to a downturn in form and reputation.

One player who that has applied to more than most has been former Liverpool academy wonderkid Rhian Brewster. Brewster had big expectations at Liverpool and there was some disappointment when he was sold to Sheffield United in 2020.

Unfortunately, the striker has failed to spark in Sheffield, scoring only nine times in 110 appearances for the Blades. But after Brewster bagged once again on Friday night, the signs are there that things are turning for the 24-year-old.

Rhian Brewster turning it around at Sheffield United

Brewster’s sale to United in 2020 is often earmarked as one of the best bits of business Michael Edwards ever did for Liverpool.

Looking back now, it’s simply unexplainable how Edwards managed to convince the then Premier League side to pay £23.5m for a player who had just four Reds appearances to his name.

At the time, though, the sense was that Sheffield United were signing one of the very best young attackers in England.

To say Brewster has failed to deliver on that would be an understatement. He did not score throughout two full campaigns in the Premier League and has barely found the net in the Championship either.

READ MORE: Former Liverpool player apologises after infuriating fans at Anfield during match in 2017

Until recently, that trend had continued this season. However, in Brewster’s last three appearances, he now has one assist and two goals.

The first of those goals came just before the international break, when Brewster tapped in a late winner against local rivals Sheffield Wednesday. And Rhian was at it again on Friday, sweeping home a brilliant finish as United beat Coventry 3-1.

Brewster set for Premier League stage

It should be pointed out that prior to his latest two goals, Brewster had two in 28 Championship appearances this season. His strikes against Wednesday then Coventry were also his first in back-to-back games since joining United five years ago. It hasn’t been good.

But with Chris Wilder’s side top of the Championship and looking good for another crack at the Premier League, perhaps Brewster is finally ready to fulfil his potential.

“He’s a goalscorer,” Wilder said after Friday’s win. “He came to the club as a a goal scorer.”

“Tonight was a big night for Rhian on the back of scoring the winner a couple of weeks ago. For him to get another goal is great. He was highly rated and a lot of clubs were in the mix for him at that time. Covid hit us, it was a difficult season for us and difficult for Rhian to come into that side. Then the injuries kicked in.

“For him to recover from that shows the desire, the attitude, the professionalism and we’re just praying now he can stay healthy and fit,” added the coach. “Because I always thought he’s going to be a big player for us. We’ve seen a lift in him and rightly so.”

Turning 25 next week, Brewster is no longer a young player with potential. But having been through the ringer over the past half-decade, there are signs he should not be written off just yet.