Liverpool’s Lewis Koumas was given a giant alternative as he joined Championship facet Stoke on mortgage, exhibiting he “thinks like a Premier League participant” up to now.
Koumas was one in all 14 gamers to depart 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 tough marketing campaign up to now because of a change of supervisor solely a month into the season, however Koumas stands out as one of many major positives for the Reds away from Anfield up to now.
However how has the younger ahead been acting at Stoke and what can we count on for the remainder of the season?
To get the lowdown on Koumas’ time at Stoke up to now and what the followers suppose, This Is Anfield spoke to Soccer League World‘s Ollie Walton (@OWaltonSports).
Koumas becoming a member of Stoke was a shock deal late in the summertime – what was the response to his transfer?
The response was positively constructive, and there was lots of pleasure as a result of sudden nature round it.
He’s somebody who I don’t suppose many Stoke followers would have heard of, particularly older ones who possibly aren’t as conscious of younger Premier League gamers as a lot, however his title is clearly recognisable due to his dad, who was an incredible participant at this stage, in order that positively added to the joy.
He’s scored three and assisted two in 18 video games up to now, however how has Koumas carried out general?
He’s been actually vivid, and whereas he possibly isn’t getting the beginning probabilities that he needs on the minute, he’ll positively be necessary for us all through the entire season.
I believe he’s proven precisely what you’d count on and need from a participant like him, which is the flexibility and willingness to tackle a person and be direct, in addition to being medical when he’s had probabilities at aim.
The overhead kick towards Bristol Metropolis was a transparent instance of that nice ending means.
Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas scores for Stoke Metropolis towards Bristol Metropolis?? pic.twitter.com/m7jOSr72bx
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) October 22, 2024
There are positively video games and moments the place he’s been a bit quiet and out of it, however then he can spring to life immediately and make one thing occur.
The change in supervisor most likely hasn’t helped him actually, what with Steven Schumacher being from Liverpool, however the brand new man Narcis Pelach nonetheless clearly charges him, and can give him extra begins going ahead.
Which roles has he performed up to now? It looks like he’s been utilized in various positions.
Yeah, he’s performed throughout the entire entrance line up to now, which possibly hasn’t helped him consistency-wise, however has meant that he’s been a invaluable asset when different forwards have been unavailable.
It has come as a little bit little bit of a shock, to me at the very least, how versatile he truly is.
He’s clearly a left winger by commerce, however he’s impressed me as a striker as a result of he can lead the press rather well, which is what each Schumacher and now Pelach need their forwards to do.
He additionally likes to float extra central, behind the striker, which he has additionally impressed in, as a result of he can decide the ball up along with his again to aim and nonetheless make one thing occur.
What have been his strengths and weaknesses?
His major energy is unquestionably his tempo, as a result of he’s actually fast and that helps us, as we don’t have a lot tempo within the staff in any other case.
That positively helps when attempting to counter too, which is the place lots of our assaults come from, in addition to closing down area and defenders on the ball.
His work-rate is unmatched when it comes to attacking gamers in our squad.
In addition to that, I’d say his positioning in assault. It’s not typically that somebody at his age makes such good runs and pops up in the correct space to attain or shoot.
He’s actually good at discovering area within the field, and getting on the top of crosses or key passes, so he’ll positively rating a couple of extra this season simply primarily based off that.
He thinks like a Premier League participant, if that is smart.
You’ll be able to inform he’s been at Liverpool as a result of, at instances, the runs and issues he’s doing off the ball aren’t even recognised by his teammates.
He does have his weaknesses, and his energy, or lack of, might be one. He can get knocked off the ball too simply typically, however that’s most likely to be anticipated along with his age and lack of senior expertise.
He appears to be a favorite amongst followers, however is there anything you may inform us about Koumas at Stoke?
That he has his personal tune! It’s to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing within the Darkish, which most individuals will most likely know from Phil Foden’s England chant in the summertime.
In case you exchange him with ‘Koumas’, after which ‘tearing the Championship aside’, then there you go.
He’s positively a fan favorite. We don’t make many songs for gamers these days, so him having one should say one thing.
Do you suppose he’s received the standard to rejoin Liverpool’s first-team squad?
That’s a tricky one, as your squad might be the most effective on the planet!
Proper now I wouldn’t say he does, merely because of consistency. That might positively change because the season goes on although.
He’s solely 19, so most likely wants one other mortgage subsequent season. Hopefully again at Stoke!
• Thanks once more to Ollie Walton for his or her perception into Koumas at Stoke. You’ll be able to observe Ollie on Twitter @OWaltonSports and skim his work on Soccer League World.
