Lewis Koumas impressed as he marked his first appearance of the summer with a goal in Liverpool's 4-2 win over Sunderland in pre-season, although Andoni Iraola was quick to bring him back down to earth
11:59, 26 Jul 2026
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 25: Lewis Koumas #67of Liverpool celebrates his goal during the second half of the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at GEODIS Park on July 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas scored Liverpool's final goal in the pre-season win over Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas has revealed how he was brought back down to earth by Andoni Iraola after scoring in the new Liverpool boss’ first game in charge.
Koumas scored the Reds’ fourth and final goal in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Sunderland, kicking off pre-season and Iraola’s reign in a positive fashion in Nashville - albeit with a new injury to Joe Gomez overshadowing the victory.
Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai and Federico Chiesa had earlier given Liverpool the advantage over its Premier League rival before Koumas added the icing to the cake late on, with the Reds now eyeing up their next assignment against Wrexham in midweek.
Koumas came off the bench at half-time as Iraola made a raft of changes, aiming to ease his players back into action this summer.
The 20-year-old clearly feels at home playing under the former Bournemouth head coach, and his performance underlined that, even if his new boss didn’t want to give him too much early praise.
“He has a really aggressive style and he loves to press,” Koumas told the club’s channels after the game. “I think I can do that well and I think I can do it for him. So, hopefully it catches the eye.
Liverpool's English striker #67 Lewis Koumas controls the ball as Sunderland's Swedish goalkeeper #31 Melker Ellborg defends during the friendly football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 25, 2026. (Photo by TIM VIZER / AFP via Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas was on target as Liverpool began pre-season with a win over Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)
“There was no sort of ‘well done’ [from Iraola post-match], it was just talking about how I can get better at pressing. Because there was a time where I wanted to jump straight through but it would have affected the way we want to press, so he just tried to give me more information straight away.
“I think it’s going to help my development and help me become a better player, so ultimately it’s better.”
Koumas could be set for a big summer, with the young forward coming off the back of a successful loan spell with Hull City during the second half of last season, which resulted in the Tigers winning promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs.
He’s now eyeing up a spot in Iraola’s squad for the forthcoming season, and the Wales international feels he could offer a solution to the Reds’ current lack of options up top.
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“I’d do anything to be on the pitch for Liverpool, ultimately,” he said.
“I think I’m definitely most effective as a nine, central, because I can run both ways. But off the wing, right, left, in the 10 or as a nine, I don’t mind.”
Reflecting on Saturday’s win, he added: “It was good. It’s the first minutes for the lads this season, so we’re just looking to keep training and working hard.
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“It was tough, it’s everyone’s first game back. We’ve been off for a while and we’re trying to adapt to the new style with the new gaffer. It’s just the first 45 in the tank for everyone.”