Liverpool’s Lewis Koumas was given a giant alternative as he joined Championship facet Stoke on mortgage, displaying he “thinks like a Premier League participant” up to now.
Koumas was one among 14 gamers to go away Liverpool on mortgage over the summer season, with the 19-year-old heading to the second tier to hitch Stoke for the season.
It has been a troublesome 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 foremost 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 undoubtedly optimistic, and there was quite a lot of pleasure because of the sudden nature round it.
He’s somebody who I don’t suppose many Stoke followers would have heard of, particularly older ones who perhaps aren’t as conscious of younger Premier League gamers as a lot, however his identify is clearly recognisable due to his dad, who was an excellent participant at this degree, in order that undoubtedly added to the joy.
He’s scored three and assisted two in 18 video games up to now, however how has Koumas carried out total?
He’s been actually brilliant, and whereas he perhaps isn’t getting the beginning possibilities that he desires on the minute, he’ll undoubtedly be vital for us all through the entire season.
I feel 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 possibilities at aim.
The overhead kick towards Bristol Metropolis was a transparent instance of that nice ending capability.
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 undoubtedly video games and moments the place he’s been a bit quiet and out of it, however then he can spring to life right away and make one thing occur.
The change in supervisor in all probability 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 a lot of positions.
Yeah, he’s performed throughout the entire entrance line up to now, which perhaps hasn’t helped him consistency-wise, however has meant that he’s been a precious asset when different forwards have been unavailable.
It has come as just a little little bit of a shock, to me not less than, 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 very 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 choose the ball up along with his again to aim and nonetheless make one thing occur.
What have been his strengths and weaknesses?
His foremost 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 crew in any other case.
That undoubtedly helps when attempting to counter too, which is the place quite a lot of our assaults come from, in addition to closing down house 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 house within the field, and getting on the tip of crosses or key passes, so he’ll undoubtedly rating a number of extra this season simply primarily based off that.
He thinks like a Premier League participant, if that is sensible.
You possibly can inform he’s been at Liverpool as a result of, at occasions, 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 in all probability 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 music! It’s to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing within the Darkish, which most individuals will in all probability know from Phil Foden’s England chant in the summertime.
For those who change him with ‘Koumas’, after which ‘tearing the Championship aside’, then there you go.
He’s undoubtedly 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 obtained the standard to rejoin Liverpool’s first-team squad?
That’s a troublesome one, as your squad might be top-of-the-line on the planet!
Proper now I wouldn’t say he does, merely because of consistency. That might undoubtedly change because the season goes on although.
He’s solely 19, so in all probability 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 possibly can comply with Ollie on Twitter @OWaltonSports and browse his work on Soccer League World.
