Brewster explains thinking behind wonder-strike

Rhian Brewster had been practising volleys in the warm-up.

The youngster caught one sweetly just prior to Tuesday evening's Premier League International Cup clash with PSV Eindhoven.

And so, when the opportunity presented itself for real, the 17-year-old was primed to pounce.

With just 11 minutes on the clock, Brewster controlled the ball with his chest and rifled home on the turn to open the scoring.

Free: Watch Rhian's wonder-strike

"As soon as I looked at Lloyd Jones I knew he was going to play the ball [to me]," he told Liverpoolfc.com.

"It was a great ball by Lloyd and I was just trying to get in behind their defence.

"I scored a volley in the warm-up so I thought, 'I’ll try one', and luckily it paid off for me and I scored."

Brewster's memorable goal was his seventh at Academy level this season - but the forward wasn't finished there for the night.

Lightning fast down the flank, he slid Harry Wilson in with a sumptuous outside-of-the-foot pass for Liverpool's second goal, which came hot on the heels of his opener.

His contributions subsequently proved crucial to a 3-0 victory at Prenton Park.

Reflecting on the game, the striker said: "A goal and an assist; I can’t ask for anything better.

"We put in a good shift because we had to bounce back from our 3-1 defeat Swansea City last Friday. I thought we bounced back really well."

LFC U23s 3-0 PSV: Highlights

Despite their win, Brewster and his teammates will have to wait until mid-January to find out if they have qualified for the quarter-finals of this competition.

PSV still have to play Peter Beardsley’s Newcastle United in the final group game, the result of which could have a big say in whether the Reds progress as group winners or one of the best runners-up.

"We tried to score a lot more goals because we knew it could come down to goal difference and we knew we had to win," Brewster added.

"We hit the post and hit the bar off a penalty, their 'keeper made a few good saves, but that’s just football really and sometimes they can’t all go in.

"I thought it was a great performance. We pressed well, kept the ball in their half and I don’t remember them having many efforts at our goal."

Last night's fixture brought the curtain down on an unforgettable 2017 for Brewster.

In October he claimed the Golden Boot as England U17s won the World Cup, while trips to Melwood to train with the first team have become a regular occurence for the forward.

But he insists he won't get carried away.

"I won’t forget that year,” he continued. “It has been a great year for me personally.

"I will just try to push on next year, keep working hard and trying my best and who knows maybe try and get a first-team appearance.”

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