Lewis Koumas has lifted the lid on Andoni Iraola's impact at Liverpool, revealing how the new head coach's tactical approach helped the 21-year-old Wales international break into the first team this season.
Lewis Koumas of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match against Arsenal FC
Lewis Koumas has had a breakthrough season(Image: Michael Steele, Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas revealed that he made sure no one worked harder than him in preseason to ensure Andoni Iraola didn't miss him at Liverpool.
The Wales international forward has also provided insight into how the new Reds head coach is developing a fresh tactical blueprint for the squad. Academy product Koumas has featured 14 times for Liverpool this campaign - including his maiden Premier League start against Manchester City last month - while finding the net in the Champions League away to LASK.
The 21-year-old striker's sole previous Reds appearance came when he scored on his debut in the FA Cup against Southampton in February 2024, following which he enjoyed loan spells in the Championship with Stoke City, Birmingham City and Hull City.
Iraola revealed earlier this season it required fewer than seven days of pre-season training before deciding Koumas would be integrated into the senior squad, with the youngster having been heartened by the managerial appointment.
"I felt like it could be a massive opportunity for me," he said. "I started looking into the sort of manager that he is and I feel like loads of my game is what he looks for in a player.
"The type of player he looks for to help his team is sort of my identity as a player, so I saw it as a real opportunity to come in and try to grab it.
"I think the last two years were massive for my development and they are all reasons why trust is being put in me now.
"In the summer I definitely felt like this was going to be the chance to see if I can do it, to see if I can break through here. So, the fact that it happened is a really nice touch and I've just got to keep working hard now."
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola with Lewis Koumas after the Premier League match at Newcastle United on August 23 2026
Andoni Iraola has shown faith in Lewis Koumas(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Koumas appeared in all five pre-season friendlies and got himself on the scoresheet in the 4-2 triumph over Sunderland.
He added: "I just made sure that there was no-one else out there (on the US tour) working harder than me.
"There was going be no-one out-training me and there was ultimately going to be no-one showing that they want to play for him more than I was."
Iraola was brought to Liverpool tasked with instilling a proactive, high-intensity and combative style of play, with the Reds having already progressed to the League Cup quarter-finals, secured a position inside the top eight in the Champions League, and sitting fourth in the Premier League.
Koumas has since shed light on how the Basque coach and his backroom staff are managing the transition.
Liverpool's English striker #67 Lewis Koumas controls the ball as Sunderland's Swedish goalkeeper #31 Melker Ellborg defends during the friendly football match between Liverpool and Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 25, 2026. (Photo by TIM VIZER / AFP via Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas was on target as Liverpool began pre-season with a win over Sunderland(Image: TIM VIZER / AFP via Getty Images)
"I think him and his staff are really good at getting how they want to play across and the details they give before games are really, really good," he said.
"They are good at communicating what they want to do and what they think because every game changes. The running is one part, being physically good enough to do what he wants, but then it's the tactical side as well, which is really, really important.
"He focuses a lot on detail and certain things so I'm always looking to implement it when I can."
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Speaking to liverpool.com, Koumas added: "Playing for him is really special – really, really special. You want to be out there on the pitch fighting for him because he fights for you. You want to play for him.
"Personally, I feel like it's an unbelievable privilege to be playing for him because he could pick whoever he wants but he's trusted me to go in there at certain times and go and do the job for him, which again I'm really grateful for."