A year after his world was rocked by a serious injury, Rhian Brewster is on the comeback trail.

The 18-year-old Liverpool striker is back out on the grass at Melwood doing ball work with the club's rehab staff.

When he ended speculation about his future by penning a first professional contract with the Reds last July, Brewster had targeted a return to action by Christmas.

However, Liverpool have been determined not to rush things with the England youth international.

With Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi both fit and available as back-up to Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, the Reds have been managing Brewster carefully.

They are reluctant to put a time scale on his return to full training with Jurgen Klopp's squad, but the fact that he's working outside again represents an important step forward.

Brewster's rich potential was one of the reasons why Klopp was prepared to sanction the £19million sale of Dominic Solanke to Bournemouth last week.

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The gifted teenager, who won the Golden Boot at the Under-17 World Cup in 2017, could still have a part to play before the end of the season.

It was on January 12 2018 that Brewster was hurt playing for Liverpool Under-23s against Manchester City Under-23s. He landed awkwardly after challenging for a header and had to be stretchered off.

Watch - Rhian Brewster celebrates Daniel Sturridge's wondergoal at Chelsea

Rhian Brewster celebrates Daniel Sturridge's goal

Brewster initially needed surgery in order to repair ligaments in his ankle. However, two months later he required a second operation having also damaged meniscus in his knee in the same incident.

Talk about him being fit at some point in pre-season proved premature and it's been a long, gruelling road back for the youngster who was signed from Chelsea in 2015.

Klopp helped keep Brewster's spirits high by inviting him to do his rehabilitation programme at Melwood rather than Kirkby. That was also designed to show him how highly he was regarded.

There was a period when Liverpool feared they would lose Brewster. His representatives turned down a number of offers from the Reds to sign a professional contract and were keen to explore a potential move to Germany.

Liverpool cancelled a proposed pre-season friendly with Borussia Monchengladbach due to an alleged illegal approach from the Bundesliga outfit.

After weighing up his options, Brewster decided to commit his future to Liverpool in June and the following month he penned a contract until 2023.

“Getting back fit and fighting fit is what I want to do and prove to everyone I am good enough,” Brewster said.

“I can’t wait to be back because I’m missing it like crazy. When I’m back I want to prove to everyone that I made the right decision in staying at this club.”

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During his time on the sidelines, Brewster has struck up a close friendship with midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been out since damaging his knee against Roma back in April. They spurred each other on in the gym.

Now with them both working outside at Melwood, there's light at the end of the tunnel. After enduring a 2018 to forget, 2019 promises to be the year when Brewster starts making up for lost time.