Liverpool’s Lewis Koumas was given an enormous alternative as he joined Championship facet Stoke on mortgage, displaying he “thinks like a Premier League participant” thus far.
Koumas was one in all 14 gamers to depart Liverpool on mortgage over the summer time, with the 19-year-old heading to the second tier to hitch Stoke for the season.
It has been a troublesome marketing campaign thus far resulting from 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 thus far.
However how has the younger ahead been acting at Stoke and what can we anticipate for the remainder of the season?
To get the lowdown on Koumas’ time at Stoke thus far 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 optimistic, and there was plenty of pleasure because of the surprising 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 identify is clearly recognisable due to his dad, who was a terrific participant at this stage, in order that positively added to the thrill.
He’s scored three and assisted two in 18 video games thus far, however how has Koumas carried out total?
He’s been actually vivid, and whereas he possibly isn’t getting the beginning possibilities that he needs on the minute, he’ll positively be essential for us all through the entire season.
I feel he’s proven precisely what you’d anticipate and wish 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 purpose.
The overhead kick in opposition to Bristol Metropolis was a transparent instance of that nice ending capacity.
Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas scores for Stoke Metropolis in opposition to 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 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 thus far? It looks as if he’s been utilized in quite a few positions.
Yeah, he’s performed throughout the entire entrance line thus far, which possibly hasn’t helped him consistency-wise, however has meant that he’s been a priceless asset when different forwards have been unavailable.
It has come as somewhat little bit of a shock, to me a minimum of, how versatile he really 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 choose the ball up together with his again to purpose and nonetheless make one thing occur.
What have been his strengths and weaknesses?
His major power 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 positively helps when making an attempt to counter too, which is the place plenty of our assaults come from, in addition to closing down area and defenders on the ball.
His work-rate is unmatched by way of 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 precise space to attain or shoot.
He’s actually good at discovering area within the field, and getting on the tip of crosses or key passes, so he’ll positively rating a number of extra this season simply based mostly off that.
He thinks like a Premier League participant, if that is smart.
You possibly can 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 power, or lack of, might be one. He can get knocked off the ball too simply generally, however that’s in all probability to be anticipated together with his age and lack of senior expertise.
He appears to be a favorite amongst followers, however is there the rest you possibly can 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 in all probability know from Phil Foden’s England chant in the summertime.
If you happen to change 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 bought the standard to rejoin Liverpool’s first-team squad?
That’s a troublesome one, as your squad might be probably the greatest on this planet!
Proper now I wouldn’t say he does, merely resulting from consistency. That would positively 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 observe Ollie on Twitter @OWaltonSports and skim his work on Soccer League World.
