Liverpool are widely expected to hand Rhian Brewster his senior debut at MK Dons, while Harvey Elliott could also be in contention after “surprising” coaches.
The Reds will be considerably more youthful when they take to the field at Stadium MK on Wednesday night, with Jurgen Klopp‘s first-team regulars afforded the evening off.
While there will remain an experienced contingent within the starting lineup, this clash with League One opposition provides the perfect chance to introduce some of the club’s standout academy stars.
That includes Brewster, who has already made the permanent move up to Melwood from Kirkby, and after his place on the bench at Chelsea on Sunday, should make his debut against MK Dons.
“I was his coach when he [joined Liverpool] from Chelsea, under-15s and under-16s,” Klopp’s assistant manager, Pepijn Lijnders, told reporters on Tuesday.
“That he is already on the bench away at Chelsea, for me is massive. But for him of course, [he wants more].
“It makes us all proud. He’s a player who even if he starts or doesn’t start tomorrow, is a player who is every time [around] already.
“He had a long injury, it was not that easy for him.
“But he has goals in him, he has technique, good physicality, he’s a complete striker.
“A typical No. 9, who can come to first balls, who can score with his head, who can turn in the box, who can play one-on-one, can score a scruffy goal as well, [has an] unbelievable shot.
“And a good boy, otherwise he would not be in our team! Good character.”
Brewster has struck up a strong bond with another new arrival from London, with his relationship with Elliott playing out on the pitch for the under-23s so far this season.
Elliott has not trained with the first team as often as expected so far, but clearly caught the eye of Klopp and his backroom staff during pre-season and whenever he has been called up to Melwood.
Given Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi are sidelined through injury and the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are due to sit out, the 16-year-old could at least be in line for a place on the bench in midweek.
“What a surprise he was when he came, in the first sessions!” Lijnders reflected.
“Some players, they play like they are already 28, 29. He’s this player who sees so much around him before things happen.
“It’s not easy to step into our training, because if you want to play high-intensity football, you have to train high-intensity football.
“It’s not easy to come in and then have control and find combinations, and he showed this from the first second.
“Then you are a talented boy. I don’t want to put more pressure on him but we’re really happy that he’s with us.”
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