Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas has continued to impress during his moments to shine in matches, with another quality display in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham
Lewis Koumas impressed for Liverpool against Tottenham
Lewis Koumas impressed for Liverpool against Tottenham(Image: (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images))
Lewis Koumas has quickly made himself a fan favorite at Liverpool in what is turning out to be a breakout season with the Reds, after another top-quality display, this time in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham.
The 20-year-old has made his way through the ranks with the Merseyside outfit, but after three loan spells in the Championship with differing levels of success, there may have been a feeling that he was likely to play at that level again this season.
However, just days after walking through the door, Andoni Iraola made it clear that Koumas would be going nowhere. The forward possesses all of the pace, intensity, and willingness to execute the plans that the manager wants, even if his minutes may be restricted by others in the squad who are ahead of him in the pecking order.
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A Premier League and Champions League debut has followed, with the Welsh international showing promising signs late on in games, but the Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham was his first real chance to show his quality from the start.
Koumas started as a center-forward in place of Alexander Isak, and showed that pace and intensity once again, hounding the Tottenham defense at every chance he got.
There were opportunities to score, one of which was stopped well by Martin Dubravka, but fortunately, goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai were enough to get the job done.
Despite not converting his chances, Koumas was still awarded the Player of the Match award, underlining just how important his hard work and pressing were to getting the result for Liverpool.
The forward was handed the award by Gakpo after, and an off-camera moment saw the star in awe of the trophy he was handed, as he said: "Wow, first ever one," seemingly beaming with pride at his achievement.
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It shows the sort of character Koumas is: an honest, hard-working, and humble character who will be an important part of the team moving forward, even if he isn't the star of the show every single week.
That underlines the exact reason why Iraola was adamant about keeping the Welsh international around the squad, while there were seemingly opportunities to play more regularly elsewhere.
Koumas shoots during the Carabao Cup match between Liverpool and Tottenham at Anfield
Koumas shoots during the Carabao Cup match between Liverpool and Tottenham at Anfield(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"I said it during the week, and I say it for a reason," Iraola said after the game when asked about Koumas and his decision to keep him at the club. "He does it in training every day. He is very clear what he needs to do, what the team needs.
"Also, the energy he shows is contagious for the rest, when you see the ones up front giving everything, you are kind of forced to go, go behind and use the same intensity levels. I’m very happy for him."
Koumas will certainly be hoping that he can kickstart a run of form and even more opportunities moving forward, as the academy stars continue to move from strength to strength.