There is a special group of Liverpool youngsters coming through the ranks at the moment. Jurgen Klopp, in his last season at the club, has left an indelible legacy and these young players are his parting gift to the club’s next manager.
Of course, it’s important to note Klopp is not the only one to credit for the emergence of Liverpool’s exciting new generation. The club’s recruitment team and academy staff have also played a key part in providing the foundations for Liverpool’s youngsters to flourish.
It’s a process that really started to begin a decade ago when FSG wielded its influence on the academy, but it’s only really starting to shine through now. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to watch one of Liverpool’s youngster’s live in action, not for the Reds but playing for his country – just ten minutes from where I live.
Why Lewis Koumas proved he was special
Rodney Parade is a million miles from the glamour of Anfield, or the other stadiums Lewis Koumas has had the pleasure of visiting while travelling with the Liverpool first team squad recently. But it’s a stadium Koumas will likely remember for a long time.
Wales’ U21 side were up against Lithuania in an important Euro U21 qualifying match. Wales needed a win to take the top spot in the group, and had actually conceded first before Rubin Colwill equalised for the home side.
Liverpool’s Koumas was on the bench until the midway point of the second half when he was finally introduced onto the pitch to make his debut at this level his country. At that point, the game was still 1-1 and Koumas settled into it with ease.
Immediately, he picked up the ball and chased down loose balls, very much providing Wales with much needed energy and exuberance. The highlight though, came with just 13 minutes of the game left. Koumas received a well-weighted pass from Colwill inside Lithuania’s penalty area and slotted the ball into the back of the net with a fantastic first time finish.
Koumas wheeled off to celebrate in ecstasy right in front of where I sat. Once again, the 18-year-old had provided a significant moment in a landmark game. So far this season, Koumas has now scored on his first start for Liverpool’s U21 side, his Liverpool first team debut and his Wales U21 debut. In total, he has 18 goal contributions in 19 games. With those stats, it’s no wonder Jurgen Klopp has spoken highly of him in the past and described him among a ‘special’ group of Liverpool youngsters recently.