Klopp, Rush and Iraola - Koumas' list of famous fans

[Getty Images] It took less than a week of pre-season for Lewis Koumas to show new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola what he could offer. And it has taken less than a month of the new season for him to show why he has a place in Liverpool's plans. Reds legend Ian Rush is among a growing number impressed by Koumas' potential, a potential that - despite his recent rise to prominence - has been obvious for a number of years. Former Liverpool Under-21 head coach Barry Lewtas describes him as "a coach's dream". "The effort, the will to learn and develop, how he applies himself, it's all there," Lewtas says. A Liverpool supporter from birth, Koumas has been with the Reds since primary school age, following in the footsteps of his father Jason, who was once a nine-year-old team-mate of Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen. While Jason moved on to Tranmere without making the breakthrough at Liverpool, Lewis has flourished with the Premier League club, especially since being pushed from midfield into a forward role at the age of 16. "That was an important part of his development, getting that exposure of playing deeper, dealing with the ball and the technical side," adds Lewtas. "But then, when your skill-sets develop, you find the area that suits you best." Given the influence of then Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Lewtas says Koumas' finishing prowess combined with a ferocious attitude towards pressing meant his path was obvious. "He fitted us and we fitted him," Lewtas says. By 2024, Klopp had given Koumas his senior debut. He scored in the FA Cup against Southampton in February 2024 was then an unused substitute as Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the League Cup at Wembley. There were more than 900 days before his next first-team appearance for Liverpool, with three loan spells in the Championship in between. At Stoke City , Koumas played under three different managers in a single season, but earned roles under all three during a spell credited for boosting his belief. He played 25 times for Birmingham City in the first half last season - although managed only seven league starts - before moving on to Hull City and playing an important role in the Tigers' promotion via the play-offs. Koumas returned to Liverpool in the summer with renewed confidence. Read more about Koumas and his national call-up to Wales here.