Sunderland chance arises for overlooked Liverpool academy star who could now have a first-team role
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Liverpool’s 2026/27 campaign will get underway on Saturday as the Reds take on Sunderland in Nashville, with all eyes on Andoni Iraola’s first Reds XI.With some big-hitters still yet to return from World Cup duty, the team is likely to include a number of young players, as Iraola assesses whether any talents from the Liverpool academy can step up and play a first-team role for him this season.The likes of Will Wright, Kieran Morrison, Josh Abe and new centre-backs Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Nduwke have all been profiled as having the potential of making an impact at senior level, but the door could also be open for Lewis Koumas, who has made steady progress since his breakthrough in 2023/24. Which Liverpool youngster will make the biggest impact under Andoni Iraola and become a first-team member?
Four really talented young players… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Dan Isitene/James Gill/Danehouse/Liverpool FC/Nick Taylor Danns’ injury could open the door for KoumasEvery Liverpool supporter is in agreement that the Reds still need to sign at least one new attacker this summer, but Iraola should also dip into the youth teams to supplement the forward line.Abe, Wright and Morrison could all benefit from this, but Koumas has become overlooked in these conversations.The 20-year-old is ahead of all three players in his development having spent two fairly productive years out on loan in the Championship.Capable of playing all across the forward line, Koumas could be a versatile squad option for Iraola, and with Jayden Danns sadly looking unlikely to be fit enough to play much of a part, the Wales international has a chance of being the next man up.Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Liverpool are about to take a big gamble on Alexis Mac Allister which could soon backfireHe has not exactly been prolific in first-team football and is still working out his best position, but Koumas has energy, confidence and a decent amount of pace. There could be a role for him.Having brought him to the US and watched over him in training for the past few weeks, the Sunderland friendly gives Iraola the first chance to get a proper look at Koumas, and it would not be a surprise to see him handed significant game time.Which other youngsters could feature vs Sunderland?Koumas is far from the only young player hopeful of forcing his way into Iraola’s plans during the friendly matches, which should make for an intriguing game on Saturday.Abe is the one fans will really want to see, along with Ndukwe and Ndiaye, and it would not be a surprise to see all make it onto the pitch.Morrison is another who should feature, while the situation at left-back is also worth keeping an eye on.
How happy would you be if FSG sell Liverpool? 💰 Credit: James Baylis/AMA/Getty Images Liverpool have two senior left-backs available in Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas. However, both Calum Scanlon and Luke Chambers are also part of the tour squad.With Liverpool needing to keep one eye on their homegrown quota, perhaps a re-emergence of either youngster could see the Reds make a decision over selling Tsimikas.Chambers is potentially the more ready of the two, and if he can get some game time on Saturday, he could start to put pressure on the Greek.For Koumas, the route to the first-team is no less blocked, but Liverpool’s need for more depth and versatility in attacking areas might just play into his hands.