Andoni Iraola promised he would trust in youth and no one at Liverpool has benefited more than young Lewis Koumas.
The new boss is winning over fans with his holistic approach to life in charge of the club and his appearance at the women’s Merseyside derby on Sunday did his PR no harm. Nor has the fact he has been spotted around the city, immersing himself in the culture of Liverpool, several times.
Another stick used to beat former boss Arne Slot was his supposed ignorance of academy players (although, in the Dutchman’s defence, he was the man who gave Rio Ngumoha his break in the first team).
Iraola is treating everyone equally at Anfield, be it a £100million player – and there are several of those – or a rookie academy kid with limited first-team exposure.
Koumas is the shining example of Iraola’s trust in a flourishing academy that has seen midfielder Trey Nyoni nearly double his league minutes from last year already, Ngumoha force his way into the England first-team squad and James McConnell be given chances with the seniors.
Defender Luke Chambers is also trusted, while strikers Jayden Danns or Will Wright could be the next cabs off the rank, fitness permitting.
Lewis Koumas had been set to leave Liverpool on loan at one point in pre-season – but now the 21-year-old winger is playing regularly, and impressively, for the Reds
Koumas is the shining example of new boss Andoni Iraola’s trust in Liverpool’s youngsters
For all intents and purposes, Koumas was slated for a loan this season. Hull City were firmly in the hunt to sign him after a positive spell there last term culminated in the Tigers winning promotion, with the Wales international scoring a few important goals along the way.
Indeed, Liverpool’s loans manager Gary Probert had held talks over the possibility – but it was soon kiboshed by Iraola, a move revealed in Liverpool Confidential. The boss had seen enough and asked to keep a small number of academy stars that were originally earmarked for an exit.
Koumas’ off-the-ball work, attitude and tactical understanding were what swayed Iraola, plus his versatility and ability to cover a number of positions.
‘He is absolutely as committed a player as I have seen in all the time I have been coaching,’ Hull’s experienced assistant manager Dean Holden tells Confidential. ‘He is a workaholic.
‘He wants to stay around the training pitch as long as he can, and loved the one-to-one individual development programmes we did with him. He wants to learn and is really mature in the way he sees the game tactically.
‘He was brilliant. We wanted to keep him at one point, he only wanted to come back here if he was going to leave Liverpool.
‘Before he came to Hull last year, we told him how we could help develop his game as well as the strengths he’d bring for us in terms of his willingness to run in behind, which for a young player is refreshing.
‘His first loan last season did not work out (at Birmingham) and he wanted a manager who believed in him and would be honest with him, he just wanted honesty which says a lot about his maturity.
‘I loved him to bits and I am really, really pleased for him that he’s doing so well.’
‘He is absolutely as committed a player as I have seen in all the time I have been coaching,’ Hull’s experienced assistant manager Dean Holden tells Confidential of Koumas
Trey Nyoni (right) has been similarly impressive to Koumas, while Jayden Danns (centre) could be the next cab off the rank for the Kop Kids
Koumas has a chance of featuring against Manchester City in the Premier League next week, especially in light of international break injuries to Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo. Detailed prognoses are not clear on either just yet.
Another player knocking on the door for a start after the international break is Nyoni, the 19-year-old midfielder who has been a class act in every cameo appearance this season.
Given Liverpool’s midfield woes last term, Nyoni was right to privately feel aggrieved he did not get more of a chance under Slot. But it appears new boss Iraola trusts him and it would not be a surprise should he make his first league start in the coming weeks.
Also challenging for game-time in midfield is McConnell, who had agreed to go on loan to Championship side Preston – and had spoken to now-sacked boss Paul Heckingbottom – only for Iraola to block the move.
McConnell held a meeting with then sporting director Richard Hughes and his representatives where he was told that Iraola does not have a ‘pecking order’ and, due to impressing in training, the former Sunderland midfielder would be staying around.
In a similar category is defender Chambers, who can play at both centre half and left back, though he is yet to make a first-team appearance. If that does not change, the situation could be revisited in January.
All examples highlight how Iraola is trusting in youth, which is delighting fans and club recruitment staff alike.
Chelsea’s small windfall
Ngumoha played for England on Tuesday night, which would have frustrated many at Chelsea given the player once described as the best kid in the Cobham academy is now at Liverpool.
But Confidential has been told Chelsea are set for a small cash payment when Ngumoha, who has two caps, makes a certain number of first-team England appearances.
Rio Ngumoha won his second England cap against Czech Republic last night – Liverpool will have to make a payment to Chelsea when he makes a set number of international appearances
Liverpool were last year ordered to pay an initial £2.8million to Chelsea for the winger, who recently turned 18. The figure could rise to £6.8million based on add-ons that include England appearances and also success at Anfield.
When the Reds do have to pay Chelsea a small fee for Ngumoha’s accolades at club and country level, they will do so with a smirk on their face after poaching a talent that has the world at his feet, clearly.
Ngumoha is currently in talks over a new, bumper deal at Liverpool.
Trent still making waves on Merseyside
Trent Alexander-Arnold is still helping out in Liverpool – with several kids from his youth programmes making it to academies across the North West.
The popular ‘TAA League’ sessions, held across Merseyside, are free, with equipment such as football boots provided for those who might not be able to afford it.
Alexander-Arnold has funded the League since 2022 and it has expanded into more locations. The right back, who left Liverpool for Real Madrid 15 months ago, was a huge advocate of giving back to his community and several of the youngsters who took part in sessions have received call-ups to the academies of Liverpool and Manchester City, among others.
Will Ward hit the mark?
Julian Ward was this week officially appointed as Liverpool’s sporting director, which was no surprise to anyone really.
It is a good move given Ward knows the club exceptionally well and has relationships already in place.
Julian Ward (second left) has been officially announced as Liverpool’s new sporting director, replacing Richard Hughes (second right)
One the most important early decisions Ward must make is whether to hand new contracts to club legends Virgil van Dijk (left) and Alisson
But equally his knowledge of the inner workings mean he won’t be allowed a grace period and the hard work starts now.
He must decide on Alisson and Virgil van Dijk’s futures – do the club extend the expiring contracts of two key players who are 33 and 35 respectively? If not, succession planning must be in place (and it has already started).
Then Ward must look to bolster the defensive midfield position, with Monaco’s Lamine Camara well liked. Full back is arguably an area of weakness, too.
Ward must also oversee a turbulent period in which 1892 Holdings, the investment consortium led by Amit Bhatia and backed by the likes of Jeff Bezos and Eduardo Saverin, are hoping to buy a stake of around 38 per cent – which could rise at a later date – in the club.
That is not Ward’s remit, of course – CEO Billy Hogan deals with that side of the operation – but will the changes have an impact on transfers? The official word is absolutely not, but you never know.
Frimpong signs for Chester!
Jeremie Frimpong’s brother Wesley has signed for local team Chester FC.
Frimpong had been training at the club for a short period after leaving Austrian champions LASK, whom Liverpool play in the Champions League next month.
Coming next week: have your questions answered
Roll up, roll up, next week’s edition of Liverpool Confidential is set to be a Q&A special.
So get your questions in by commenting on this article, emailing me at [email protected] or sending me a message on X @LewisSteele_.
