Andoni Iraola could look to unleash one of Liverpool's latest fan favorites, with a clash against Bournemouth coming up that could provide the perfect chance to.
Andoni Iraola, head coach of Liverpool, looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham
Andoni Iraola could unleash one of his bright stars for Liverpool's clash with Bournemouth(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
The three-week international break is just around the corner, but Liverpool still has work to do before the opening few matches of the season can be assessed.
One final Premier League match is coming up before Andoni Iraola can take some time to reflect on his side's start, one that will see him return to the south coast to take on his old side, Bournemouth.
The Spaniard spent three years coaching the Cherries, and while he had something of a slow start at first, he continued to bring about better finishes in the league with each campaign that followed, culminating in European qualification at the end of the last season.
What he has left new head coach Marco Rose with is a team filled with energy and quality, which is capable of beating any team on its day.
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With Liverpool, Iraola is starting that process again. There have been some promising signs, with the Reds remaining unbeaten so far, but there is also plenty of work to do if the team is to reach the heights once again.
One of the key principles he is still working on is the energy and pressing structures within the team. Considering the different profiles within the squad, some pragmatism is needed to find those who fit and perhaps work around those who aren't quite perfect for the style.
One of the players who has seemingly taken to the change of style well is Lewis Koumas. The 20-year-old forward has spent the past two seasons on loan in the Championship, but one of Iraola's first demands upon looking at the squad was that he must stay, rather than leave on loan again.
The Welsh international hasn't exactly been prolific in the second tier, though he did win promotion with Hull City last season via the playoffs. But he has the non-negotiables that the manager wants — he is full of energy, intensity, and desire, which all align perfectly with the style of play the manager is implementing.
Lewis Koumas set the tone for Liverpool's Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham Hotpsur
Lewis Koumas set the tone for Liverpool's Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham Hotpsur(Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
It may have been tough to see in the cameos from the bench in previous matches, but Koumas proved exactly what he brings to the table in Liverpool's win over Tottenham in the EFL Cup in midweek.
His pressing truly set the tone for the rest of the team. "I said it during the week, and I say it for a reason," Iraola said after the game when asked about Koumas' ability.
"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."
That has quickly seen Koumas become a fan favorite. With a match against a Bournemouth side that is known for its energy, matching them up with another energetic option could help inject some intensity into the team for what could be a tough encounter.
It's likely that, if Koumas does start, it would be on the right flank, rather than at centre-forward where he started against Tottenham. A place back in the team for Alexander Isak makes sense, considering his quality, but that doesn't mean the pressing structures need to be much different.
The 20-year-old forward can cover plenty of ground, and his ability to press from the right into the middle could allow Isak to drop off and press from the right instead.
If Iraola truly wants to stamp his mark on the team and show up his old side in the process, then it's time to unleash Koumas for a first Premier League start.