Liverpool plan first-XI role for new 'diamond' Lewis Koumas as Jurgen Klopp and coaches wowed
Liverpool coaches have promoted teenage sensation Lewis Koumas to first-team training and are planning to gradually introduce him to more regular senior action, sources have told Football Insider.
The 18-year-old has impressed Jurgen Klopp and his staff on the back of his excellent season with the under-21s and was named in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time against Burnley last Saturday.
He has developed significantly this season and is seen as a huge talent at the club, with well-placed sources telling Football Insider that bosses see him as a "diamond" capable of making a significant mark at senior level.
The teenager, who converted last season from a midfield to centre-forward role, has been operating predominantly on the left side of the attack this season.
He has already been name checked by Jurgen Klopp as a talent to watch out for, and the club's coaching staff increasingly see him as a future first-teamer.
Koumas has had a prolific campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists across just 15 appearances in all age-group competitions.
That includes seven goals in seven Premier League 2 matches and he most recently bagged a brace in the Reds' 3-1 win against Stoke City on Sunday (11 February) - the third consecutive game in which he has scored.
Lewis Koumas has been hailed by Liverpool coaches as a 'diamond' capable of being a first-team star
Liverpool under-21 coach Barry Lewtas hailed Koumas, who has played on both wings and as an out-and-out striker this season, as "fantastic" following his frequently impressive performances.
"Lewis has been brilliant for us, he really has," he told Liverpool's official website late last year.
"He is a real energetic frontline player, loves to run in behind, he is aggressive in how he approaches the game and has really good technique.
"He is a really good footballer. He has fitted in great with the lads, he has a fantastic character and he just gets on with it."
Koumas is yet to make his senior debut but has made the first-team bench twice this season in their Europa League clash against Union SG in December and their recent Premier League tie against Burnley.
He made his debut for Wales' under-19s in March last year and has since made four appearances.
Liverpool remained at the summit of the Premier League table after their 3-1 victory against Burnley on Saturday afternoon (10 February), but Man City sit just two points behind them with a game in hand.
They are next set to face Brentford away in the early Saturday kick-off (17 February).
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