NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Lewis Koumas is aiming to catch Andoni Iraola‘s eye this pre-season, and while he is hopeful of emerging as a No. 9 option for Liverpool, he’d “do anything” to be on the pitch.
The boyhood Red played the second half and scored in Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly against Sunderland, leading the attack initially alongside Kieran Morrison and Federico Chiesa.
As per FotMob, he was Liverpool’s second-best player of the match behind only Dominik Szoboszlai after managing four shots, two chances created and one successful dribble.
And Koumas, who spent time on loan with Birmingham City and Hull last season, is intent on making the most of his opportunities and proving his worth.
“I’d do anything to be on the pitch for Liverpool, ultimately,” Koumas told the club’s official website after the 4-2 win.
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas celebrates with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai (L) after scoring the fourth goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas celebrates with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai (L) after scoring the fourth goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“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.”
With Hugo Ekitike sidelined until the end of the year at the earliest, and Alexander Isak otherwise the only fit senior centre-forward, there is an opening to capitalise on.
Will Wright, who started Saturday’s friendly, is another hopeful to add depth to the attack this season, as too is Jayden Danns despite his most recent fitness setback.
Andoni Iraola’s instant hands-on coaching for Lewis Koumas
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Koumas is an enthusiastic 20-year-old eager to play for his boyhood club, but a step-up to the first team will require further development, which Iraola is already overseeing.
The two spoke after the friendly, and the versatile forward revealed that the Spaniard was quick to impart a lesson on the pressing triggers he wants to see from Koumas.
“He has a really aggressive style and he loves to press,” Koumas started. “I think I can do that well and I think I can do it for him. So, hopefully it catches the eye.
“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.”
Although Iraola has had to trust and rely on youth to start his Liverpool tenure, the reports from Koumas and Kieran Morrison so far paint a positive picture of his desire and willingness to develop the club’s next generation.
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 6 – Liverpool FC v AFC Sunderland
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 6 – Liverpool FC v AFC Sunderland
P2026-07-25-Liverpool_Sunderland-30
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) Is greeted by head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 6 – Liverpool FC v AFC Sunderland
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (R) speaks to Kieran Morrison during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)