Liverpool could hand debut to ex-Premier League ace's son as Klopp rests key men
Jurgen Klopp is considering handing Lewis Koumas his Liverpool debut against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League on Thursday.
The 18-year-old forward has been included in the 23-man squad for their final group game Belgium. The Reds have already qualified for the last 16 of tournament after securing top spot in Group E, allowing Klopp to rest several first-team regulars for Sunday's clash.
Liverpool, who are leading the Premier League title race, take on bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield. Alisson, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and captain Virgil van Dijk are among those staying in England, while Alexis Mac Allister is nursing an injury.
Many fans will recognise Koumas' name, as he is the son of former Premier League star Jason. The teenager's dad played for West Brom and Wigan in the Premier League, with the attacking midfielder winning 34 senior caps for Wales between 2001 and 2009.
Koumas Sr, 44, also represented Tranmere and Cardiff in the English Football League. He actually started his career at Liverpool and played alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen in the academy before moving to Tranmere in 1998.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Although the former Premier League star never got the chance to play for Liverpool, his son might. Koumas is in Klopp's squad for the game and will be hoping to get the nod. The youngster's been on Liverpool's books since 2016 when he arrived from Tranmere.
Koumas has featured three times for Liverpool's U23 side in the EFL Trophy this season - playing against Morecambe, Barrow and Bradford - and made his debut for Wales at U19 level earlier this year. He was born in Chester, the English town which borders Wales.
Koumas was invited to train with Liverpool's first-team squad during in July and revealed his ambitions to make his debut. "I'm buzzing about it. To be honest, it's been the dream since I was a kid to come up with the first team," he told Liverpool's website.
Lewis Koumas is the son of former Premier League star Jason (Getty Images)Who would you like to see play for Liverpool on Thursday? Let us know in the comments below!
"Honestly being here it literally feels like I'm behind a screen. Seeing players I look up to - for example, Luis Diaz, I remember watching him at Anfield last season and now I'm behind him... I've got to come here and show the manager what I can do.
"And if I do get the opportunity to make my debut, obviously, then it's to try to score a goal. My first-team debut - that's definitely what I'm looking for. This might be the only opportunity I get, so I need to make sure I take it."
Koumas is the youngest member of Liverpool's travelling party for the Union SG clash. Luke Chambers, the 19-year-old left-back who started their 5-1 win against Toulouse in October, is involved - as is exciting teenage wingers Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon.
Jarell Quansah could play alongside Conor Bradley, the 20-year-old right-back who spent last season on loan at Bolton. Bradley, who has featured five times this season, is Bolton's reigning Player of the Year and has already won 13 senior caps for Northern Ireland.
Fabian Mrozek is one of Liverpool's reserve goalkeepers (Getty Images)
Conor Bradley will be hoping to get the nod against Union SG (Getty Images)Tom Hill, who made his senior debut four years ago, is also part of the squad. The 21-year-old midfielder was out for 20 months after undergoing a knee operation in September 2020. James McConnell, 19, is another promising midfielder in the travelling party.
Calum Scanlon, the 18-year-old left-back who made his debut in October, has also made the journey to Belgium. Young goalkeepers Marcelo Pitaluga and Fabian Mrozek, both 20, will be on standby in case Caoimhin Kelleher suffers an injury.
Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster
Although Klopp has called on Liverpool's prolific academy for the trip to Belgium, he's also named several senior stars in his squad. Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo will all be involved on Thursday.
The likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson have been given a rest ahead of this weekend's clash with Manchester United at Anfield.
Liverpool's 23-man squad to face Union Saint-Gilloise: Caoimhin Kelleher, Marcelo Pitaluga, Fabian Mrozek; Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas, Luke Chambers, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Calum Scanlon; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, James McConnell, Tom Hill; Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Lewis Koumas, Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
