Liverpool’s Lewis Koumas was given an enormous different as he joined Championship side Stoke on mortgage, displaying he “thinks like a Premier League participant” to date.
Koumas was thought-about one among 14 players to go away Liverpool on mortgage over the summer season, with the 19-year-old heading to the second tier to affix Stoke for the season.
It has been a difficult advertising marketing campaign to date because of a change of supervisor solely a month into the season, nonetheless Koumas stands out as one among many main positives for the Reds away from Anfield to date.
Nevertheless how has the youthful forward been appearing at Stoke and what can we rely on for the rest of the season?
To get the lowdown on Koumas’ time at Stoke to date and what the followers assume, This Is Anfield spoke to Soccer League World‘s Ollie Walton (@OWaltonSports).
Koumas turning into a member of Stoke was a shock deal late within the summertime – what was the response to his switch?
The response was undoubtedly constructive, and there was numerous pleasure because of stunning nature spherical it.
He’s any person who I don’t assume many Stoke followers would have heard of, notably older ones who maybe aren’t as acutely aware of youthful Premier League players as lots, nonetheless his title is clearly recognisable attributable to his dad, who was a superb participant at this stage, so that undoubtedly added to the fun.
He’s scored three and assisted two in 18 video video games to date, nonetheless how has Koumas carried out whole?
He’s been really good, and whereas he maybe isn’t getting the start prospects that he wishes on the minute, he’ll undoubtedly be very important for us all via all the season.
I imagine he’s confirmed exactly what you’d rely on and need from a participant like him, which is the flexibleness and willingness to deal with an individual and be direct, along with being medical when he’s had prospects at goal.
The overhead kick in the direction of Bristol Metropolis was a clear occasion of that good ending potential.
Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas scores for Stoke Metropolis in the direction of Bristol Metropolis?? pic.twitter.com/m7jOSr72bx
— Sky Sports activities actions Soccer (@SkyFootball) October 22, 2024
There are undoubtedly video video games and moments the place he’s been a bit quiet and out of it, nonetheless then he can spring to life instantly and make one factor happen.
The change in supervisor perhaps hasn’t helped him really, what with Steven Schumacher being from Liverpool, nonetheless the model new man Narcis Pelach nonetheless clearly expenses him, and may give him additional begins going forward.
Which roles has he carried out to date? It appears as if he’s been utilized in quite a few positions.
Yeah, he’s carried out all through all the entrance line to date, which maybe hasn’t helped him consistency-wise, nonetheless has meant that he’s been a treasured asset when completely different forwards have been unavailable.
It has come as a bit little little bit of a shock, to me not lower than, how versatile he actually is.
He’s clearly a left winger by commerce, nonetheless he’s impressed me as a striker because of he can lead the press very effectively, which is what every Schumacher and now Pelach want their forwards to do.
He moreover likes to drift additional central, behind the striker, which he has moreover impressed in, because of he can select the ball up collectively along with his once more to goal and nonetheless make one factor happen.
What have been his strengths and weaknesses?
His main energy is definitely his tempo, because of he’s really quick and that helps us, as we don’t have lots tempo throughout the crew in some other case.
That undoubtedly helps when making an attempt to counter too, which is the place numerous our assaults come from, along with closing down home and defenders on the ball.
His work-rate is unmatched by the use of attacking players in our squad.
Along with that, I’d say his positioning in assault. It’s not sometimes that any person at his age makes such good runs and pops up within the appropriate house to realize or shoot.
He’s really good at discovering home throughout the discipline, and getting on the tip of crosses or key passes, so he’ll undoubtedly ranking plenty of additional this season merely based off that.
He thinks like a Premier League participant, if that’s sensible.
You’ll be capable to inform he’s been at Liverpool because of, at events, the runs and points he’s doing off the ball aren’t even recognised by his teammates.
He does have his weaknesses, and his energy, or lack of, is likely to be one. He can get knocked off the ball too merely sometimes, nonetheless that’s perhaps to be anticipated collectively along with his age and lack of senior experience.
He seems to be a favourite amongst followers, nonetheless is there something you could inform us about Koumas at Stoke?
That he has his private music! It’s to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing throughout the Darkish, which most people will perhaps know from Phil Foden’s England chant within the summertime.
Do you have to change him with ‘Koumas’, after which ‘tearing the Championship apart’, then there you go.
He’s undoubtedly a fan favourite. We don’t make many songs for players today, so him having one ought to say one factor.
Do you assume he’s obtained the usual to rejoin Liverpool’s first-team squad?
That’s a difficult one, as your squad is likely to be the best on the planet!
Correct now I wouldn’t say he does, merely because of consistency. That will undoubtedly change as a result of the season goes on though.
He’s solely 19, so perhaps desires one different mortgage subsequent season. Hopefully once more at Stoke!
• Thanks as soon as extra to Ollie Walton for his or her notion into Koumas at Stoke. You’ll be capable to adjust to Ollie on Twitter @OWaltonSports and skim his work on Soccer League World.