Andoni Iraola is expecting to be without Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong for "some time" after the injury issues they sustained against Brentford on Saturday
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
The sight of Alexander Isak scoring again for Liverpool was a welcome one at Brentford — but his return from injury was tempered by fresh blows for Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong.
Szoboszlai, Andoni Iraola admitted, was perhaps brought back too soon. He is now set to be out for "some time," while the Reds were also missing Ryan Gravenberch through suspension at the Gtech, and Cody Gakpo, back from his own setback, remained an unused sub.
It appears that, with many more games still to come before the November international break, Liverpool's roster is going to be tested again, and Iraola's faith in some young talents will need to be reaffirmed.
Liverpool still looks light in a couple of key areas — and big decisions are coming in the form of several high-profile contracts, including Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister — but Iraola's side has been bolstered as a result of his faith in youth.
Lewis Koumas, for instance, was exceptional against LASK in the Champions League midweek. He isn't going to play every single week, and returned to the bench at Brentford as soon as Isak was available again, but his European showing was a level of performance few realized he was capable of.
Speaking to reporters after he starred against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, the Wales international was somehow still full of energy. Since then, he has run a hell of a lot more.
"I think how I play is ultimately the Liverpool Way," Koumas said. A nice soundbite, maybe, but it is one that rings true: his relentlessness is infectious and rubs off on both his teammates and the Anfield crowd.
Lewis Koumas of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s sixth goal during the UEFA Champions League match against LASK on October 14 2026 in Linz, Austria
Lewis Koumas of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s sixth goal during the UEFA Champions League match against LASK on October 14 2026 in Linz, Austria
Iraola raised eyebrows over the summer when he said that, after a couple of training sessions, he had decided Koumas would be staying put. It would be fair to say he has been proven correct.
Trey Nyoni is another who has seen his game time increase. With Curtis Jones getting his wish of a transfer exit to Inter Milan, the former Leicester talent was trusted to step up. When Szoboszlai was struck down again, the teenager quickly got ready.
Against LASK, Nyoni was excellent too. The England youth international has a seemingly never-ending reserve of poise and composure, which belies his 19 years.
Nyoni is likely to start — or at least play a substantial role — in matches with Villarreal (Champions League) and Chelsea (Carabao Cup) that are coming up. He won't be fazed by either occasion. Given Szoboszlai's injury, he could face Brighton and Arsenal, too.
Rio Ngumoha was another who dropped back to the bench despite a good performance midweek, with Victor Munoz starting ahead of him on Saturday, and the pair then linking up nicely on the same flank.
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The England international has made a promising start to the new season. Iraola is a big fan of the 18-year-old, who he described as "elite" heading into this clash.
It was an unnecessary jibe aimed at Arne Slot that he didn't use the younger players enough — his management of Nyoni and Ngumoha was sensible — but their roles were always set to grow.
Iraola, though, deserves credit for being comfortable throwing 21-year-old Jeremy Jacquet in at the deep end, and what he has gotten from Koumas has been a bonus with Hugo Ekitike sidelined.
Liverpool could still do with a few more quality bodies, even when Ekitike, Conor Bradley, and others return from long lay-offs. It would be fair to say, however, that he is starting to get more from the players he inherited.
The next step will be to continue that process — and hope that it extends to the likes of Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola too.