Wales under-21 coach Matty Jones is not surprised to see teenager Lewis Koumas go from strength to strength with the midfielder making quite the impression at Premier League giants Liverpool.
It speaks volumes about the togetherness and the mentality Jurgen Klopp has instilled throughout every level and every age group at Anfield that, during a recent injury crisis, a host of previously little-known youngsters have made the step up to senior football look rather straightforward.
Jayden Danns scored twice against Southampton in the FA Cup. Jarell Quansah has been one of this season’s biggest success stories. Ditto Conor Bradley, while James McConnell looks like a 19-year-old with the experience and the composure of a man ten years his senior.
Lewis Koumas, another of ‘Klopp’s kids’, has made quite the impression too. The son of former Wigan favourite Jason Koumas also found the net in that Southampton clash, and is more than deserving of a first call up for Wales’ Under-21 side for the March international break.
Lewis Koumas a big hit at Liverpool
“I’ve had four visits to Liverpool and monitored Lewis’ performance,” Jones says, via The Independent.
“I’ve sat and had lunch with him, getting to understand him as a human being, to know how to best manage him, what makes him tick and also his threats and abilities he can pose for us as a team.”
Koumas is also eligible to represent England at international level. Jones, however, is ‘absolutely convinced’ that the 18-year-old will follow in his father’s footsteps with a red dragon on his chest.
“Lewis is a very ambitious young player,” Jones adds. “And there’s no surprise why he’s excelling.
“The taste he’s had of senior exposure – he’s trained quite regularly with the first-team – has elevated him. They’ve taken a liking to him. Everyone I’ve spoken to at Liverpool loves his self-confidence and his ability to drive at people and run.
“He’s developing on a daily basis. But the big thing is he can’t wait to come in (and represent Wales).
“He’ll be joining us late after the Manchester United-Liverpool game on Sunday. Hopefully there’ll be game time for him and an opportunity to show us what he’s about.”
Midfielder ‘excelling’
Koumas forced his way into Klopp’s plans after a stellar run of form at Premier League 2 level. He has scored seven goals in just eight appearances from midfield for Liverpool’s youth side this season, while providing a further two assists.
It remains to be seen if Koumas will feature during Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool’s bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
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