Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says he feels "sorry" for Sheffield United striker Rhian Brewster.
Brewster was one of the big-money signings of last summer when the Blades forked out £23million for the Liverpool forward.
They invested the money on the back of his stunning impact at Swansea City in the second half of the last campaign, where he scored 11 goals in 22 appearances while on loan in south Wales.
He propelled Steve Cooper's side into the play-offs and secured a move to top-flight Sheffield United as a result. Swansea have certainly missed a player of his ilk this term but the chances of signing him last summer were almost slim to none.
Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp decided to cash in on Brewster, with the likelihood of him breaking into the German's first XI rather remote.
But the season has gone badly for both the Blades and Brewster, with the south Yorkshire side already relegated from the Premier League and the striker yet to find the back of the net in 28 appearances in all competitions.
Merson says he's a fan of the 21-year-old but that the move hasn't worked out thus far - with Liverpool reeling in a sizeable fee for the relatively unproven striker.
“I do like the kid Brewster. I do like him. I feel sorry for him that it hasn’t worked out. He did score goals," he said on Sky Sports.
“He had been at Liverpool, he had been a kid at Liverpool, then he went to Swansea and scored goals, and they did pay a lot of money, they took a chance.”
Brewster will now get the opportunity to spearhead United's attack in the Championship next term.
His team-mate David McGoldrick is backing him to kick on - saying he has too much quality not to.
“Rhian will get goals,” McGoldrick said.
“There’s no doubt he’s a quality player, a quality finisher, and it’s just one of those things. I talked to him about my experience last season, the droughts, and you just have to keep going, keep working.
“One will fall for him and he’ll poke it in, and then he’ll go on a run. He’ll be a great asset for this club in the future, he’s getting a run of games and looking fitter and sharper.
“He’s working hard and learning the way we play, and he’ll be a big player for us.
“If we can get him a goal or two before the end of the season, going into next season, then even better. Because we have a player on our hands.”
