Koumas Led a Fearless Liverpool Display as Iraola’s Changes Paid Off

There was plenty to like about Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur last night, but the biggest thing I took away from Anfield had nothing to do with the scoreline.

It was the youngsters.

We came into this game needing a response after that dreadful performance against Fulham and, although I’m not going to pretend this was vintage Liverpool, the energy was completely different. The intensity was better, the pressing was better and, for large periods, the balance in midfield was better.

For me, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell and Lewis Koumas were at the heart of that.

Liverpool are into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai secured the 3-1 victory.

Nyoni and McConnell Made Liverpool Look Better

I’ve been banging this drum about Trey Nyoni for a while now, and last night only strengthened my opinion.

Nyoni and McConnell didn’t look like two youngsters being carried through a cup tie by the senior players. They looked completely comfortable.

The balance was there. The spirit was there. The pressing was there. Most importantly, the fight was there.

Spurs had some good moments early on, but Liverpool settled into the game and those two played a massive part in that.

What happened when they went off was also telling.

Nyoni and McConnell were replaced by Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai after 62 minutes. Suddenly, Liverpool looked easier to play through. The spaces appeared and Tottenham became more threatening.

I don’t want to spend an entire column hammering Gravenberch or Szoboszlai because Liverpool won the game, but I have to call what I see.

Gravenberch hasn’t got going this season. Szoboszlai scored an absolutely wonderful goal, and we should enjoy that strike for exactly what it was, but the overall midfield performance after the substitutions concerned me.

Giving the ball away cheaply continues to frustrate me.

Right now, if you asked me to pick a two man midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Nyoni would be firmly in my thinking.

Koumas Has Earned His Place

Lewis Koumas was probably my man of the match.

I thought he was brilliant.

We spent pre season wondering what Liverpool would do with him. Would he go on loan? Would he stay around the first team? Could there even be a permanent move?

Last night showed exactly why Andoni Iraola wanted him around.

His work rate is outstanding and he looks tailor made for the football Iraola wants Liverpool to play. What impressed me most wasn’t necessarily what Koumas did going forward, it was everything else.

He tracked back. He pressed. He helped defensively. He did the dirty work.

That matters.

You can play him through the middle, from the left or from the right and you know you’re going to get effort, counter pressing and defensive responsibility.

I’m not saying Koumas should suddenly start every Premier League game. I am saying he belongs in this first team squad.

Mac Allister Continues to Lead

Alexis Mac Allister was excellent again.

His goal was beautifully taken, arriving around the edge of the area and steering the ball into the top corner. It continued what has been a really strong start to the season for him.

I wanted Mac Allister to respond this season and show Liverpool exactly why he deserves a new contract.

He’s doing that.

For me, he has been our best midfielder so far.

Cody Gakpo deserves credit as well. After everything that happened during the summer, you wanted him to settle down, get back to playing football and remind everybody of his quality.

His goal was classic Cody.

Cut inside, open up the angle and find the far corner.

Job done.

Szoboszlai eventually completed the scoring with an outstanding long range strike in stoppage time.

Mamardashvili and Jacquet Impress Again

Giorgi Mamardashvili deserves a mention because, although I thought he should have dealt with Tottenham’s goal better, some of his shot stopping was exceptional.

Spurs could easily have scored another couple without him.

There were deflections, reaction saves and one particularly impressive stop where he had to adjust in mid air. That is exactly what you want from your number two goalkeeper.

Jeremy Jacquet impressed me again when he came on at half time.

Every time I watch this lad, I like him more.

He looks composed, reads situations well, wins his duels and doesn’t shy away from the physical side of defending. For such a young centre back, there is an awful lot to admire.

Ronald Araújo was steady again, Milos Kerkez produced a much better performance and Joe Gomez getting 45 minutes into his legs was another positive.

So I’m coming away from last night feeling far more positive than I did after Fulham.

Liverpool made ten changes and still found a way to beat Tottenham 3-1. More importantly, several players given an opportunity actually grabbed it.

Nyoni did.

McConnell did.

Koumas absolutely did.

That is what these cup games should be about.

When young players are given an opportunity, you want them to make the manager’s next team selection more difficult. Those three have done exactly that.

Now Liverpool have to back it up against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Last night was a response. The challenge is making sure it becomes the start of something rather than another isolated good performance.

Much Love.