Brewster signs up and sets timescale for taking Liverpool No.9 shirt

Rhian Brewster has ended the uncertainty surrounding his Liverpool future by signing a new contract with the club.

The 18-year-old signed a contract at Anfield last night, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Brewster has agreed a five-year deal.

The exciting forward, who is still recovering from an ankle problem he sustained in January, was interesting a host of other clubs from at home and abroad.

The Sun reported earlier this month that PSG and Juventus were tracking Brewster, while Arsenal, Tottenham, Barcelona and Monaco have all “checked on his availability over the last few months” the report claimed.

Borussia Monchengladbach are understood to have made an approach for the player in May.

In turn Liverpool pulled out of a pre-season friendly with Gladbach with The Telegraph reporting the Reds believe “Brewster has been spoken to without permission”.

Brewster though has penned his first professional contract at the club and the Echo confirm he will be part of Jurgen Klopp’s senior set-up this season.

Brewster told Liverpoolfc.com:: “It feels great. I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time now and I think it’s the right moment for me and my family. I’m looking forward to getting back fit and making some appearances.

“I just wanted the opportunity to make it at Liverpool. Of course you have to look elsewhere sometimes and maybe somewhere else is a better place for you.

“I think Liverpool is the place for me. I can’t wait to get started and get back fit.

“That’s my aim (to play for the first team) to either be alongside Bobby (Firmino) or in front of him. Of course it’s going to be hard because he’s a great player and a great person.

“But I hope in the next two or three years I can be the number nine for Liverpool. Who knows what’s going to happen?

“I set myself high standards because ultimately I want to the best and being the best means setting myself high standards – and that’s what I’m going to do.

“Ultimately, this is a great team that I want to be a part of. Not just being a number but a face of the team is hopefully what I can do.

“Getting back fit and fighting fit is what I want to do in the upcoming season, and prove to everyone I am good enough.”

Brewster helped England win the Under-17 World Cup last year but his season was cut short after suffering ankle ligament damage playing for Liverpool’s Under-23s against Manchester City in January.

He added: “I’ve been out for about six months now and it’s quite far down the line. I’m hoping to be back by around Christmas. Hopefully by then I should be back fit and fighting for my place in the team.”

Brewster is yet to make his Premier League debut, but was named by Klopp on the substitutes bench in April 2017 against Crystal Palace.