Lewis Koumas aims to impress Iraola and earn minutes
Lewis Koumas is back with Liverpool for pre-season under new head coach Andoni Iraola, saying he is looking to impress with his pressing and energy after loan spells at Birmingham City and Hull City. The Wales international, who helped Hull earn Premier League promotion, wants first-team minutes but remains open to wherever the summer takes him.
Key Takeaways
- Lewis Koumas is in Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool pre-season squad after Championship loans at Birmingham City and Hull City.
- The Wales forward says his pressing and energy could suit the new head coach as he aims to impress.
- His main target is Premier League minutes for Liverpool, while staying open to further development.
- Coverage around the Sunderland pre-season friendly also flags a possible first-team path if Iraola needs attacking depth.
Speaking to the club in Chicago after a Thursday morning session, Koumas said pre-season has been going well and that younger players are bonding off the pitch between long, warm training sessions. For more viral sports and celebrity updates, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Why is Lewis Koumas talking about impressing Iraola?
A new head coach means a clean slate. In a club interview published by Liverpool FC, Koumas said he thinks he is a player Iraola could like because of how he presses and the energy he can give the team.
“I’m always looking to impress so I’ll just see where it takes me,” he said. That message lands as Iraola assesses who can help the first team and who may need another loan.
What did Koumas take from his Championship loans?
During 2025-26, Koumas first joined Birmingham City before moving to Hull City. He described a tough start that became a strong experience, capped by Hull’s promotion to the Premier League.
He called Hull’s Wembley promotion day “unbelievable,” recalling the moment Oli McBurnie put the ball over the line. The 20-year-old Wales international says he learned a lot from that campaign.
Could Koumas force a Liverpool first-team role?
Koumas’s stated aim is clear: play for Liverpool in the Premier League. If that does not happen, he says he will keep developing and improving his game.
Yahoo Sports, citing Anfield Index analysis, notes that his pressing traits align with Iraola’s intensity-focused style and that versatility across the front line could keep him relevant. Rousing The Kop reports Liverpool’s pre-season opener against Sunderland in Nashville as an early chance for academy options, and argues Koumas could benefit if Jayden Danns is not fit enough for a major role.
Nothing is guaranteed. Left-wing competition remains strong, and Liverpool may still add attackers. For now, Koumas’s approach is simple: impress in training and friendlies, then see where it takes him.