Dominik Szoboszlai praised Liverpool’s youngsters after the win over Tottenham, with his belief that Lewis Koumas and James McConnell “deserve to play.”
Andoni Iraola made 10 changes for the Reds’ Carabao Cup opener, including starts for the young quartet of Koumas, McConnell, Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni.
He was rewarded with a high-energy performance, with the head coach hailing the academy graduates for their efforts on and off the ball – and particularly the “contagious” pressing of Koumas in attack.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Szoboszlai was asked about the contribution of Koumas and McConnell after their first starts of the season.
“They both did a really good job. Koumas with his timing and McConnell with his running ability,” the No. 8 explained.
“Both of them deserve to play. They both played very well. And now they will make it really hard for the gaffer.”
Iraola: ‘The more difficult decisions I have to make, the better’
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters after the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. The game ended 3-1 with Liverpool progressing the 4th Round. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the supporters after the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. The game ended 3-1 with Liverpool progressing the 4th Round. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In his own post-match interview with Sky Sports, Iraola echoed the feeling that those performances will “make it hard” for him to put together his strongest team.
“For me today, after the other day [in the 0-0 draw with Fulham], it was clear that we needed energy,” he explained.
“We needed fresh legs, we needed people who can give us this intensity.
“In the games we’ve shown this level of aggressiveness, of willingness to recover the ball high, we’ve looked better.
“The more things I have in my head and the more options I have, and the more difficult decisions I have to make, normally for a team it’s going to be better.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Whether Iraola will consider McConnell and Koumas as realistic competition for the likes of Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak is questionable.
But there is cause to argue that, as Szoboszlai says, those youngsters deserve more opportunities in bigger games if they are performing to a higher standard than their senior counterparts.
With Liverpool progressing to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup there will at least be more chances for Iraola’s fringe players to impress.
“Cup competitions are decisive for the games,” the head coach continued.
“We’ve been unlucky in terms of the draw, you don’t want to play the first game against Spurs, but at least we’ve earned the right to play another one and we will go like this until the end.”
The draw for the fourth round will take place on Wednesday night, with those ties then taking place on October 27/28, between Liverpool’s home league clashes with Brighton and Arsenal.
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Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
koumas iraola
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