UK Cypriot 18-year-old forward Jason Koumas made it on the bench in Liverpool’s League final win at Wembley over Chelsea.
The 18-year-old forward was also included in Liverpool’s Premier League squad for the first time when he was on the bench for their 3-1 win over Burnley at Anfield.
The following day, Koumas netted two excellent goals for the Reds’ U21s in a 3-1 victory against Stoke City to take his tally to 15 for the season so far.
Reflecting on his senior involvement at the weekend, Koumas told Liverpoolfc.com: “It was a good experience and it was nice to be a part of it.
“I trained the day before and then to be included on the bench, especially the Premier League at Anfield, a very historical place, it means quite a lot to me.
“I’ve just got to keep developing, keep training well and stay happy and hopefully get another opportunity.”
So far this term, Koumas has been a regular member of the U21s squad under Barry Lewtas and he played his part in a strong team performance versus Stoke recently
“I’m enjoying it with the U21s, it’s all about development and I’m training every day with a smile on my face,” he added.
“I’m enjoying working with Barry. He has been massive for me, he fills me with confidence and he’s a very good coach.
“I just go out there and try to find the back of the net as much as possible. Calum [Scanlon] gave me a great pass for the first, and the second it was good vision from Jayden [Danns] and I just tried to stay calm and finished it.
Koumas is also part of Liverpool’s FA Youth Cup team under Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and has netted four times in the last two ties.
Next up is a trip to Leeds United in the quarter-finals, on a date and at a venue to be decided.
“We have done well so far,” said Koumas. “I wanted to play in the FA Youth Cup and try to help the team.
Koumas, who is the son of former footballer Jason, has been a regular at Anfield with his dad to watch his Reds heroes, while learning his own football trade in the Kirkby youth set-up.
Now, though, he is very much among those he has grown up idolising as Liverpool continue to step up their preparations for the upcoming campaign.
“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 Liverpoolfc.com.
“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. It just feels crazy, to be honest.
“I got called in with the 21s a week before I was meant to be in, so I was on my holidays. I trained with the first team a couple of times in the week and then the night before I got called up to say I was going.
Koumas started pre-season last summer under the watchful eye of Reds U18s boss Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.
Having began as a midfielder, he has now slotted into a striking role on a more regular basis at youth level. It was a move that came about by chance but one he grasped and continued after scoring four times in his first competitive outing last term.
Obviously to come and learn from some of the best players in the world is a good opportunity to be in and around Champions League winners,” he continued.
“I feel for me, 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.”
His father Jason enjoyed a career that saw him reach both Premier League and international level with home nation Wales.
Jason Koumas is a Welsh former professional footballer who played for Tranmere Rovers, Cardiff City, West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic, as well as the Welsh national team. He spent nine years in the Liverpool academy before joining Tranmere at eighteen.
Asked if he has sought career advice, Lewis said: “My dad was a very good player and a lot of people know that. It’s more like if I have a question or something. My dad just leaves me to it and lets me do my own thing.
“But if I have a question, I’ll definitely go and ask him.”
Lewis is eligible to play for Wales, England and Cyprus.
