Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum 'really proud' of Rhian Brewster after teenager's goalscoring heroics help England U17 reach World Cup final

  • Rhian Brewster has scored seven goals at this year's Under-17 World Cup in India
  • The Liverpool starlet has netted two hat-tricks to help England reach the final 
  • Georginio Wijnaldum has paid tribute to the 17-year-old's goalscoring heroics
  • 'I am really proud of him for doing big things in this stage of his career,' he said

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has paid tribute to Rhian Brewster after the teenage striker helped England reach the final of the Under 17 World Cup.

Reds starlet Brewster, 17, is the top scorer in the tournament, having netted seven goals for Steve Cooper's side in India.

The forward, who netted hat-tricks in the quarter and semi-finals to put England on the brink of glory, previously named Wijnaldum as the first-team player who really helped him settle when he trained with Jurgen Klopp's first team last season.

Rhian Brewster has scored seven goals to help England reach the Under 17 World Cup final

Rhian Brewster has scored seven goals to help England reach the Under 17 World Cup final

The 17-year-old Liverpool forward netted hat-tricks in England's quarter and semi-final ties

The 17-year-old Liverpool forward netted hat-tricks in England's quarter and semi-final ties

And now the Holland midfielder has hailed the teenager's impact for his national team.


'I am really proud of him for doing big things in this stage of his career,' he told the club's website.

'I was really proud from the first time that I saw him, because he's a young player but what I like is that he was not shy when he came to the first team, but in a good way.

'He was not shy but with a lot of respect for the older players, that's why I always had a good relationship with him.

'I am proud of him for doing big things in this stage of his career,' Georginio Wijnaldum said

'I am proud of him for doing big things in this stage of his career,' Georginio Wijnaldum said

The 17-year-old in action for the Reds during their end-of-season friendly against Sydney

The 17-year-old in action for the Reds during their end-of-season friendly against Sydney

'He's a person you can laugh with, so I like him as a person and also as a player because he's a good player. He showed that in training and in the games that he plays.'

Brewster's goalscoring heroics in India have helped him announce himself to the nation. But Wijdnaldum claims the 17-year-old stood out when he trained with the first team because he didn't play within himself like many other young players.

'With him I saw immediately that he was trying to take the ball, trying to dribble, trying to score goals and trying to do everything (he does) in the youth team, so that's what I want to say: He was not shy, but in a good way and with respect.'