I’m actually really pleased with what Lewis Koumas has just got from this international break.
241 minutes of football for Wales in just 11 days.
That is a lot for a 21-year-old Liverpool player who is still trying to establish himself at senior level.
But rather than worrying about the workload, I’m looking at it from a different angle.
This could be exactly what Koumas needed.
He hasn’t just been sitting around during the international break waiting for a few minutes here and there.
He has been playing.
Starting games.
Playing as a centre-forward.
Getting responsibility for Wales.
And that experience could be hugely valuable when he returns to Liverpool.
Bellamy is giving Koumas something Liverpool can benefit from
One of the most interesting parts of this is the role Craig Bellamy has given him.
Koumas has previously been used in wide positions, but Bellamy has been working with him as a No.9 for Wales.
Liverpool already know Koumas can play across the attacking positions, but getting regular experience through the middle at international level gives him another dimension.
Liverpool themselves reported earlier this year that Bellamy viewed Koumas as a potential future player for Wales and wanted to develop him as a centre-forward because of Wales’ shortage of natural No.9s.
And I really like that.
Because Koumas doesn’t need to come back to Liverpool as the finished article.
He just needs to keep adding things to his game.
If he can become comfortable playing centrally as well as out wide, suddenly Iraola has another type of attacking option.
241 minutes is a serious amount of football
Koumas started three of Wales’ four matches during the break and came off the bench in the other, accumulating 241 minutes across 11 days.
Compare that with his Liverpool involvement so far this season and it becomes even more interesting.
He had played only around 110 minutes for Liverpool before this international break, with his only start coming in the Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham.
Now he’s gone away with Wales and more than doubled his club minutes in a matter of days.
That can only help.
He’s getting used to the physical demands of senior football.
He’s learning how to deal with pressure.
He’s playing against experienced international defenders.
And, perhaps most importantly, he’s beginning to believe he belongs at this level.
That’s massive for a young player.
And Liverpool might need him
This is where the timing could be particularly interesting for Iraola.
Liverpool’s attacking options have already been tested by injuries, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo doubts ahead of the Manchester City game.
That could potentially give Koumas another opportunity to show what he can do.
And suddenly, those 241 minutes don’t look like just international experience.
They could be preparation.
Koumas has now spent the last couple of weeks playing regularly, rather than being somebody who has to suddenly come into a Liverpool team after barely seeing the pitch.
That’s a big difference.
If Iraola needs him, Koumas should be much sharper and more confident than he was before the international break.
I also like the fact that Bellamy clearly trusts him
There is something else that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Bellamy has already spoken very positively about Koumas.
Earlier this year, he described him as a “real future player” for Wales and said he could have a big say for the national team.
And now we’re seeing that trust translated into minutes.
That’s important for Liverpool.
Koumas isn’t just getting selected because he’s a Liverpool youngster.
He’s becoming an important player for Wales.
That experience should help him when he returns to Anfield.
And I think Liverpool supporters should be excited about that.
I’m not expecting miracles
I’m not going to suddenly claim Koumas is ready to replace Isak or Gakpo.
That would be ridiculous.
He’s still developing.
But I do think Liverpool could have another useful attacking option on their hands.
We’ve already seen flashes of what he can do.
He’s energetic.
He’s willing to run.
He can play wide.
He can play centrally.
And now he’s getting proper international experience as a striker.
That’s a pretty good combination for a 21-year-old.
The next step is turning those flashes into regular performances for Liverpool.
And that’s where Iraola comes in.
This could be a really important season for Koumas
I actually think the timing of this international break could be brilliant for him.
He’s been given responsibility by Bellamy.
He’s played 241 minutes in 11 days.
He’s gained experience as Wales’ striker.
And he’s now heading back to Liverpool with a lot more senior football under his belt.
That’s exactly what you want from a young player.
Now Iraola has to decide how much of that progress he can turn into Liverpool opportunities.
And with City coming to Anfield on October 11 and questions surrounding Liverpool’s attacking options, Koumas could get another chance sooner rather than later.
If he does, I’ll be watching him very closely.
Because this international break might have done more for Lewis Koumas than simply add a few more caps to his name.
It might have helped turn him into a player Liverpool can genuinely rely on.
And that could be very useful for Iraola.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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