I’m really pleased to see Lewis Koumas getting the recognition he deserves, and Calum Scanlon has explained exactly why his rise at Liverpool shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The Liverpool youngsters have grown up together through the academy, so Scanlon knows Koumas better than most. He has seen him in under-18s and under-21s football, trained alongside him with the first team and spent pre-season with him.
And when Scanlon was asked about Koumas earning his place in the Wales team, his answer was telling.
“If you look at his game, how he presses, his relentlessness. He’s always at it – that’s always been him. It comes as no surprise how he’s got in the team.”
That tells you a lot about the player Koumas is becoming.
Because while goals and assists will always grab the headlines, the work he does without the ball is clearly making a big impression on the people watching him every day.
Iraola wants exactly that
One of the things I’ve enjoyed about Andoni Iraola since he arrived at Liverpool is the emphasis on energy and intensity.
He wants his forwards to work for the team, press defenders and keep going even when things aren’t going their way.
Koumas seems to understand that perfectly.
Scanlon explained that Iraola loves players who work hard and counter-press, but also have the ability to contribute going forward.
For me, that is why Koumas has been able to catch the manager’s attention.
He isn’t simply waiting for the ball to arrive at his feet. He’s chasing defenders, closing passing lanes and making life uncomfortable for the opposition.
That effort can create opportunities for teammates even when Koumas himself doesn’t get a goal or an assist.
And managers notice those things.
His Tottenham performance was a big moment
Koumas gave Liverpool supporters a glimpse of what he can offer during the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Tottenham.
He worked tirelessly, helped create space for others and kept putting pressure on the Spurs defence. His energy was one of the standout features of his performance, earning him a man-of-the-match award.
I thought it was an important night for him.
Not because it suddenly proved he was ready to start every week, but because it showed he could carry out the manager’s instructions at senior level.
Koumas later described his approach as playing “the Liverpool way”, saying the club has always expected its players to give everything on the pitch.
That attitude seems to have been part of his game for years.
Scanlon’s comments reinforce the idea that this isn’t a sudden change designed to impress Iraola. It is simply the player Koumas has always been.
Wales are benefiting too
Koumas’ progress isn’t limited to Liverpool.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy has been giving him opportunities and has also explored using him as a centre-forward, rather than restricting him to a wide attacking role.
Bellamy has previously described Koumas as a genuine future player for Wales and believes he can have a major influence on the national team. Koumas has also scored his first senior international goal, heading home against Ghana to earn Wales a draw.
That is another encouraging step.
He’s learning different roles, gaining international experience and getting used to the demands of senior football.
And now he’s returning to Liverpool with more confidence and experience than he had at the start of the season.
There is still plenty for him to improve, of course. He needs to keep developing his end product and turn his hard work into regular contributions in front of goal.
But he’s giving himself a chance.
Liverpool have a young forward worth persevering with
I don’t want to get carried away and claim Koumas is suddenly going to become one of Liverpool’s most important players.
He’s still young, and there will be difficult days as well as good ones.
But I do like what I’m seeing.
Liverpool have spent plenty of money strengthening their attack, yet Koumas is showing that there is still room for a homegrown player who understands what the club demands.
His pressing, determination and willingness to keep going give him something valuable. If he can combine those qualities with more goals, assists and intelligent movement, he could become a very useful option for Iraola.
And the fact that Scanlon has highlighted these qualities is significant because he has known Koumas for years. He isn’t describing a player who has suddenly discovered hard work. He’s describing a trait that has always been there.
That’s what makes this rise so encouraging.
Koumas hasn’t needed to change who he is to earn his opportunity. He’s kept working, stayed relentless and taken his chance when it arrived.
Now the challenge is to keep doing it.
I’m certainly not writing him off as just another academy youngster who might struggle to make the step up. If anything, I think Koumas has given Liverpool fans a reason to keep watching his progress closely.
Sometimes the best way to impress a manager is to make sure you never give him a reason to question your effort.
And Lewis Koumas seems to understand that already.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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