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 Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas goes close to capping his excellent performance for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur with a goal(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
View Image
The prospect of a midweek Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur did not exactly get this writer's pulse racing ahead of the event, but thankfully, Andoni Iraola's team selection resulted in something of an eye-opening affair.
After a dismal goalless draw against Fulham at the weekend, which reeked of Arne Slot's second and final season, the Spaniard could have been forgiven for selecting a strong-looking side against Spurs in an attempt to rebuild some confidence after a flat Premier League performance.
Instead, he opened the door to a trio of young fringe players who showed the type of hunger and desire to take their chance that should give every jaded supporter the shot in the arm they so sorely needed.
READ MORE: Why Lewis Koumas never lost faith in Liverpool dream as new hero shares Andoni Iraola talks
READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister 'angry' with Liverpool players during training - 'They are intense'
None impressed more than Lewis Koumas, who last season found himself on the bench at Birmingham City before enjoying a slightly more fruitful spell in the second half of the campaign with Premier League promotion-chasing Hull City.
Few would have been surprised if the 20-year-old had been sent out on another loan before the start of this season, but the fact that Iraola has gone on record to state that he told the Liverpool top brass that the forward would be going nowhere after just one week in the job tells you everything about what the manager sees in what could develop into the surprise breakthrough story of the season.
Hearing such words of praise from his new boss must have made Koumas feel about 10ft tall, as he competes for minutes on the pitch with £100m signings all across the front line. So when given his opportunity to lead the line in the Carabao Cup, boy did he take it.
While the jury remains out on the success (or lack of it) around the Reds' recent transfer business, Iraola has shown with Koumas what can happen when you put faith in a player whose primary objective is to achieve his dream of representing the team that he loves.
His relentless pressing from the front against Spurs was a breath of fresh air, and although he didn't manage to find the net himself, his endeavour helped Liverpool rediscover the type of high press their embryonic manager demands.
Questions were asked around the centre-forward position before the start of the season. How could Alexander Isak be asked to carry the burden on his own whilst Hugo Ekitike remains on the long-term injured list? On Tuesday's showing, he won't have to.
Koumas has already repaid the faith shown in him by his manager and can expect plenty more minutes on the pitch in all competitions as the season develops.
*FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page*
Perhaps even more significantly, his committed output and humble demeanour are giving him an edge on some of the Reds' other players. Already, he has the backing of the Kop and alongside the industry of James McConnell and the classy control of Trey Nyoni, Liverpool's youngsters are forging an affinity with the fans that is lacking with some of the team's big-name, big-money stars.
Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised, given that Iraola built a successful Bournemouth side that was largely devoid of ego, but still produced results in Europe's toughest domestic league.
This writer is particularly pleased by the emergence of Koumas, having had the unique opportunity to play against him twice in a competitive six-a-side league whilst he was still a teenager. Given that he is now picking up man-of-the-match gongs for the Reds and there is a 27-year age gap between us, there is no surprise that I couldn't get near him.
Koumas won't be playing in that Bebington six-a-side league again, but those humble surroundings probably tell you more about him then perhaps was considered at the time. Here, we have exactly the type of player hardcore Liverpool fans can get behind at a time when there is a distinct lack of local voices in the first team.
Whilst Manchester United are having to work their way through the nightmare of trying to resolve the issue of a generational 15-year-old and his entourage trying to leave the club for perceived bigger and better things, in Koumas, Liverpool have a grounded individual who is ready to work hard for his dream in the colours of the team he has been with since he was 11.
It's been a magnificent couple of weeks for the Chester-born forward and no doubt a proud moment for his father Jason, who was an excellent player in his own right.