Lewis Koumas has reflected on an emotional milestone after making his Premier League debut in Liverpool's 2-2 draw against Newcastle United
Lewis Koumas of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match against Newcastle
Lewis Koumas made his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Newcastle on Sunday(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Lewis Koumas has reflected on his Premier League debut after he came on as a late substitute in Liverpool's 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United.
It was a game of firsts at St. James' Park as Andoni Iraola took charge of his first competitive fixture as head coach of the Reds. The result and performance, though, were mixed as Liverpool secured a last-gasp draw in added time.
Twice the Reds fell behind to Newcastle and on both occasions it came from Liverpool being torn apart on the counterattack. Cody Gakpo scored the initial equalizer shortly after halftime, but it was a very late penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai that ensured at least a point was taken back to Merseyside.
Players from the bench certainly made an impact as it was summer signing Victor Munoz who won the penalty, drawing a foul from Newcastle left back Lewis Hall. Koumas, meanwhile, replaced Ryan Gravenberch with a little over 10 minutes left on the clock and he looked lively in the closing stages.
The winger has featured regularly throughout preseason, owing largely to Liverpool's lack of depth in wide areas. Mohamed Salah, who left the club at the end of last season, is yet to be replaced with a little over a week left in the transfer window.
Speaking to LFC TV post-match, Koumas reflected on a memorable afternoon in his career, saying: "Yeah, this is the peak. It’s quite emotional, to be honest.
"Now that it’s finally happened, it just takes me back to the very first moment, when my mum was sacrificing absolutely everything to get me to any session I could be at. It’s her I have to thank for being able to put myself out there."
Lewis Koumas of Liverpool is challenged by Jacob Murphy of Newcastle United during the Premier League match
Lewis Koumas came on as a late substitute in the draw against Newcastle United(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Whether Koumas has a greater role to play in the first team this season will likely depend on the business carried out before the September 1 deadline. It's been widely reported the 20-year-old is attracting loan interest, but currently the club cannot afford to lose one of its few attacking options.
Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola has been Liverpool's primary target throughout the summer, but a deal is yet to be struck with the French club, reportedly due to its hefty asking price. His teammate Ibrahim Mbaye has also been rumored as a target, but again, finances are seemingly holding up any potential deal.
In more recent days, Brighton's Yankuba Minteh has been the subject of two bids from Liverpool, both of which were turned down by the Seagulls. It is not yet clear whether the club will return with a third offer, especially given the Gambia international is currently sidelined through injury.
There is also uncertainty surrounding Gakpo's future at Anfield. The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham, but it's fair to say Liverpool cannot afford to lose one of its senior forward options unless significant incomings are made.