Liverpool have had a revamp in their academy this summer as they aim to provide an ever clearer pathway to the first team.

The Reds have had plenty of success in promoting young players in recent years and will look to continue that under the new regime.

Liverpool secured a relative coup for the position of U21s head coach after convincing former Wales manager Rob Page to take the job.

Having taken charge of his nation at the 2022 World Cup, and having previously managed Wales at youth team level, Page is more than qualified to take up a role with the Liverpool academy.

Rob Page on joining Liverpool as U21s head coach	Rob Page reveals why he chose Liverpool FC	Jayden Danns scores on injury return as Liverpool U21s win in France

With Arne Slot having most of the senior Liverpool squad to choose from this pre-season, many of the Reds’ most promising youngsters stayed back to work on Merseyside with Page.

And having already seen many of them in action, the Welshman pinpointed one ‘exceptional’ talent who has already caught his eye.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool’s biggest talent right now is quite comfortably Rio Ngumoha.

Ngumoha has been wowing Liverpool coaches in pre-season and looks destined for a first team role.

However, there are plenty of other promising young players besides, and having watched them closely over the past month, Page wanted to pick out forward Lewis Koumas for special praise.

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“It’s about getting the balance right,” the coach told Liverpoolfc.com when asked about his playing style.

“Defensively, we need to be hard-working and organised.

I’ve just preached to the players about the attitude during my first two weeks because I know they’ve got ability.

It has been nice and really refreshing to be able to go and attack from the front.”

READ MORE: Liverpool have already shown they would be willing to give Rio Ngumoha regular minutes next season

“I want to mention Lewis Koumas, who has been exceptional in pre-season, and he triggers the press first just with his energy and his enthusiasm,” Page added.

“I want to work with players like that because then you can be more on the front foot and play a more attack-minded game.”

Out of sight during Liverpool’s pre-season tour this summer, Koumas has likely found himself out of mind for a lot of supporters as well.

SeasonTeamAppearancesGoalsAssists2023/24Liverpool1102024/25Stoke City49632024-Wales600Lewis Koumas career

However, it is worth noting that before the Reds jetted off for Hong Kong, he did play 45 minutes against Preston North End.

Slot is clearly well aware of his qualities.

Koumas had a good year at Stoke last season, and appears to have what it takes for a successful career in the game.

Although there are potentially places up for grabs in Liverpool’s forward line next season, and Page is obviously a big fan as well, we think the most likely scenario is that Koumas heads out for another loan this term.

Having already proven himself in the Championship, a second move to the division could go some way to determining what his eventual level will end up being.