STUNNING display has Liverpool teenager gunning for Dominik Szoboszlai’s spot

A Liverpool rising star is making a serious case for inclusion in Arne Slot's first-team plans.

Lewis Koumas has been making a name for himself while on loan at Stoke City. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his Championship debut, despite Stoke City's 2-1 defeat to West Brom at the start of the season. He continued his impressive form in the EFL Cup, contributing a goal and an assist during Stoke's dominant victory over Middlesbrough.

Against Norwich City, Koumas was again a key figure in Stoke's attack alongside Tom Cannon and Million Manhoef. He showcased his energy, enthusiasm, and even bravery, which led to him requiring treatment after he seemed to be struck in the throat from an attempted clearance when applying pressure to the Norwich back-line.

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Stunning Koumas goal

The Welsh teenager gave another impressive performance in Stoke's 2-2 draw with Bristol City, scoring a stunning overhead kick inside just two minutes before getting an assist for Andrew Moran's goal.

Speaking before the game, Stoke's manager Narcis Pelach spoke about how impressed he was of the youngster but said he still had plenty to learn.

"Very good. He's 18," Pelach said per Stoke on Trent Live. "He needs to improve his defensive game and we're trying to work on the details because he doesn't control his steps very well, so his defensive position is not great, but his energy and speed and the willpower is impressive. I wanted to change him, but he kept saying he was fine - and then I saw him cramping.

"He's 18, he just wants to play the game. It's nice to see. We need a lot of Lewis Koumases in our squad and players that if, they're not perfect today, that's fine as long as they want to do things."

Koumas could give Slot huge headache

"I have to say, honestly, that I'm very pleased with him." added Pelach It's not just in the games but the training sessions as well. He says yes to everything you tell him, he wants to improve.

"There are no excuses. He is a guy without excuses. With newer generations, it's very easy for kids to say 'yes, but...' or 'if' - with Lewis, it's not like that, which is very good. I think we will get him better with the other stuff."

Koumas's heatmap from the season is particularly notable. The youngster was used as a wide player in his fleeting time with Liverpool’s first-team, while he was a striker at youth level (after converting to the role).

At Stoke, though, Koumas is everywhere. He’s been used on both wings, up top and, most interestingly, just off the striker. Is this his future?

Koumas appears to have the engine and the creativity to play that no.10 role, with his efforts against Bristol City showing that nicely. Per Opta data on Fotmob, Koumas created three chances in the fixture, as well as scoring the opener.

His ability to get around the pitch, make things happen in different areas, and offer both goals and assists do set him up for a future at Liverpool. It’s essentially the Dominik Szoboszlai role - a high-energy position that asks for a bit of everything going forward.

Keep this up, and Koumas may truly give Arne Slot something to think about.

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