Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool's Carabao Cup third-round win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Tuesday evening
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool (R) celebrates with Bradley Barcola of Liverpool after scoring their 3rd goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai seemed to address his critics when celebrating his sensational match-sealing goal for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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New boss, new outlook. A change in the dugout at any club usually results in the slate being wiped clean and every player being given the same opportunity to impress.
And few in the Liverpool squad has instantly benefited from the appointment of Andoni Iraola more than Lewis Koumas.
The Reds head coach recently admitted it took less than a week working with Koumas to decide that, rather than sanction another loan move, the youngster was staying put.
Having subsequently made a debut in both the Premier League and Champions League, the Wales international took another step here with a first start since his goalscoring bow in the FA Cup against Southampton back in February 2024.
Operating as the number nine in place of the benched Alexander Isak, Koumas justified the faith of Iraola, his energy and pressing from the front infectious and a pain for Tottenham all evening.
He came close to opening the scoring early on when denied by the legs of Martin Dubravka, and the Anfield crowd responded warmly to his work ethic.
But this was more than just the exuberance of youth, Koumas showing game intelligence learned from loan spells in the Championship with Stoke City, Birmingham City and Hull City.
Afforded a deserved ovation on his late substitution, the 20-year-old has made himself a real option for Iraola.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Lewis Koumas of Liverpool shoots during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas shoots during the Carabao Cup match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Nyoni steps up
The last time Alexis Mac Allister and Trey Nyoni were paired together in midfield, a 3-0 home thumping in this competition to Crystal Palace last October was one of many low points during a dismal campaign.
For Nyoni in particular, it was an evening of frustration as he was dragged down by the general malaise on only his fourth Liverpool start.
He had to wait until here for his fifth having been given minutes from the bench already this season by Iraola, who has already publicly expressed his belief in the teenager.
And while the 19-year-old took a little time to settle, his overall performance as the deeper of the two midfielders - which allowed Mac Allister to push on and deliver a goal and an assist while ending the game as captain - was very much that of a player increasingly comfortable with his first-team status.
The biggest compliment is that when Nyoni and another starting youngster, James McConnell, were replaced shortly after the hour, Liverpool’s midfield became alarmingly porous as Tottenham become necessarily adventurous.
Everything points to surely Nyoni not having to wait too long for that precious first Premier League start.
Szoboszlai needs springboard
It was a goal very much not in keeping with his performance. But how Dominik Szoboszlai will hope his 30-yard stunner to seal victory can provide a springboard for his thus far spluttering season.
Introduced along with Ryan Gravenberch midway through the second half, both midfielders demonstrated little sign of improvement after their self-belief was dented by a dismal showing at the weekend against Fulham.
Indeed, Szoboszlai spurned a gilt-edged chance to ease a nervy Anfield when firing weakly at Martin Dubravka with only the Tottenham goalkeeper to beat. There was, though, no stopping his thumping strike in additional time. Szoboszlai pointed to his ear in celebration, no doubt mindful of the criticism aimed in his direction of late.
While always capable of those special moments, the Hungary international will benefit from now concentrating on the basics having too often this season guilty of trying too hard.
Elsewhere, Joe Gomez made a welcome return with a 45-minute run-out at centre-back while full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez took a step in the right direction after recent travails.