Lewis Koumas scored in a dominant win over Sunderland as he made a strong start to preseason, and Ian Rush has backed the Liverpool youngster for a breakout season
21:09, 29 Jul 2026
Ian Rush believes that Lewis Koumas will be Liverpool's next breakout star
Ian Rush believes that Lewis Koumas will be Liverpool's next breakout star(Image: 2024 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes that Lewis Koumas could enjoy a breakout season under Andoni Iraola, after making his feelings clear on the Welsh youngster during the U.S. preseason tour.
Koumas scored in Liverpool's 4-2 win over Sunderland in Nashville as the preseason tour got underway, with stops in New York City and Chicago up next. The 20-year-old has spent the past two seasons on loan, but is now ready to test himself in Liverpool's first team.
Liverpool face Wrexham in New York City on Wednesday, though the team was forced to travel on the morning of the game after severe weather canceled Tuesday's flight plans. Koumas could feature again for Iraola's side, and Rush is confident he can continue building momentum.
Rush attended Liverpool's away kit launch in Brooklyn on Tuesday night and was joined by fellow legends Robbie Fowler and Phil Thompson. When unveiling the new white jersey, Rush offered his thoughts on Liverpool's next prospect, who is ready for the spotlight.
"Koumas. He's Welsh, obviously, and I'm Welsh as well," Rush said. "He came on in the second half (against Sunderland), scored the goal, and everything.
"Played for Wales at the end of the season, and he's been really, really good. He's been on loan at Hull City, and now he's come back, and now he's got to prove to the manager that he can play regularly in the first team."
Koumas has already scored in preseason after a successful loan spell in 2025-26
Koumas has already scored in preseason after a successful loan spell in 2025-26(Image: 2026 Bill Barrett/ISI Photos)
Koumas has been with Liverpool since he was 11, and is the son of former professional soccer player Jason Koumas. After graduating from Liverpool's academy, Koumas was loaned to Stoke City during Arne Slot's first year in charge.
Last season, Koumas began the year with Birmingham City, then joined Hull City for the second half of the season, helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League. Koumas scored three goals in 17 Championship games and was delighted with his development.
After celebrating promotion with Hull, Koumas said at Wembley Stadium, "It's one of the best days of my life for sure, and memories that will stay with me forever. I'm really happy with the way my development's going.
Koumas helped Hull City achieve promotion to the Premier League last season
Koumas helped Hull City achieve promotion to the Premier League last season(Image: 2026 Charlotte Wilson/Offside)
"It's been a good two years. I think I've played nearly 110 games now, so I'm just really happy with how it's going and just excited for what's next."
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Shortly after Koumas' season ended, news filtered through that Slot had been fired by Liverpool. Iraola was then hired on a two-year contract, but the coaching change didn't seem to bother Koumas, given he was on loan throughout Slot's tenure.
The likelihood is that Koumas will be loaned out again this season, but the Welsh star feels confident about what's to come. "I don't really think the plan changes for me," he said.
"It's just going to be how it's always been, to just keep my head down, keep working hard, and if I impress, I impress. So let's see what happens."