Alexander Isak may be the most expensive player in Premier League history, but Andoni Iraola still uses academy striker Lewis Koumas as an example for him.
In the absence of Hugo Ekitike, Koumas has emerged as effectively second-choice striker, earning Man of the Match for his performance up front against Tottenham.
There is a clear gulf between the two players in terms of their profile, with Isak wearing Liverpool’s No. 9 shirt after a £125 million move from Newcastle which broke the British transfer record.
But the Mail‘s Lewis Steele reports that Iraola “does not treat Isak differently based on his price tag,” with Koumas as a reference point.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a training session at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The head coach “has been unafraid to show him clips” of the Wales international, who he believes “sets the gold standard for off-the-ball work.”
That appeared to be evident as Isak worked harder out of possession than perhaps ever before in a Liverpool shirt during his match-winning display against Bournemouth on Sunday.
It is an area of the game that is difficult to quantify, and that is why Iraola would look to use footage of how Koumas presses to explain what he wants from his strikers.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola gives final instructions to substitute Lewis Koumas (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola gives final instructions to substitute Lewis Koumas (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Of course, this also underlines how much of an impression Koumas has made on the Spaniard in just over two months since he began pre-season with Liverpool.
Iraola revealed earlier this month that he was convinced the 21-year-old would stay as part of his first-team squad within a week of working with him.
What Iraola now wants to see from Lewis Koumas
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas is challenged by Atlético Madrid's Robin Le Normand (R) during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas is challenged by Atlético Madrid's Robin Le Normand (R) during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But Steele adds that he “has been demanding more of Koumas with the ball at his feet,” having noted “several loose touches” in his nine minutes on the pitch at the weekend.
The decision to part ways with Arne Slot and install Iraola as head coach has wiped the slate clean for many, and the man in the dugout has helped the situation by treating each player the same regardless of their status.
“I will use the players that I think will help us to win the game,” he told reporters after the transfer window closed.
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“I will not be looking at if they earn more money, less money, they cost us more, they cost us less. I need to win games.
“Once they’re our player, for me, they’re our player, I don’t really know what they earn. I don’t ask the club, I don’t know.”
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MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 14: Kylian Mbappe of France reacts during the France Training Session ahead of the Euro 2020 Group match between France and Germany at Fussball Arena Muenchen on June 14, 2021 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann - UEFA)