FORMER Liverpool star Tom Brewitt has incredibly admitted to intentionally injuring a team-mate in an attempt to get into the side.
Brewitt was battling with Daniel Cleary for a spot in the FA Cup squad to take on Exeter in the 2015-16 season – Jurgen Klopp’s first at the club.
The ex-Reds academy product – released by Morecambe this summer – believed it was ‘written in the stars’ he would be picked, with a number of first-team regulars injured.
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However, he faced competition from Cleary – who spent two weeks on crutches after the attack.
Brewitt told the Football Journeys Podcast how he was willing to use whatever means necessary to get his big chance.
And he said he felt no remorse for what he did.
The 23-year-old, who spent ten years at Anfield and captained Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup, said: “Whatever it took to do it, I was going to do it.
“If that meant hurting someone or ruining a relationship I had, I was going to do it.
“I was just desperate to play for Liverpool and that’s all I wanted to do.
“I took the decision, it was me or him, so I went after him in training.
“Before Christmas and the time between Christmas and New Year, I put myself next to him in possession games, I put myself next to him in games, and I just kicked him.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt him badly but I was trying to hurt him enough so he was out the way and I would play.
“It was about a week before the Exeter game and I took a bit of a heavy touch in a seven-a-side and he’s come in to tackle me.
“I waited a split second too long and absolutely topped him, went over the ball, it was a bad tackle – I knew it was a bad tackle, I did it on purpose and I’m not incredibly proud of it.
“I’m not ashamed of it, either, because in my head it was me or him and I was choosing me.
“There was a bit of a scuffle after it and I think he got sent off for his reaction, rightly so as his reaction was probably bang on, and I finished off the session.
“He was on crutches for the next two weeks, so it was sort of like, not mission accomplished because I think that’s a bit harsh as I didn’t want to hurt him, I just needed him out the way for this game.”
Brewitt did not play anyway because he suffered a concussion four days before the match.
Cleary, who now plays for Dundalk, tweeted in response to Brewitt’s comments: “Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter comes to mind.
“Lucky to walk away from that tackle with my leg in one piece.”
