Lewis Koumas became the youngest Liverpool player to score and assist in a Champions League game during Wednesday’s 6-3 win over LASK in Linz. The 21-year-old Wales international achieved the milestone just three days after his first Premier League start, surpassing a record previously held by Steven Gerrard in 2001.
Koumas’s performance in Austria marked a significant moment in a season defined by his integration into the first team. Despite having two earlier goals ruled out for offside, the forward secured his first goals of the season against LASK. His contributions came alongside hat-trick hero Bradley Barcola in a match that saw Liverpool win.
Rise to the First Team
The 21-year-old’s path to the senior squad involved several loan spells at Stoke, Birmingham, and Hull, where he helped the Tigers win promotion last season. During the first week of pre-season, Andoni Iraola decided that Koumas was part of his Liverpool plans. Since then, he has made his Premier League debut at Newcastle and appeared against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
🗣️ Steven Gerrard on Lewis Koumas:"He has done the Liverpool academy proud. He was a little bit loose at times, so there’s lots to work on, lots of potential. But in terms of being up for it, fighting for your team, representing the supporters and the academy" 🔴❤️ https://t.co/Rlk5mWDa56 pic.twitter.com/kxZXtIhCki
Koumas’s playing style has drawn praise from Iraola. After a man-of-the-match performance during his first start of the season against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, Iraola described his energy as contagious
.
Reflecting on the Milestone
When informed he had surpassed Steven Gerrard’s 2001 record for the youngest Liverpool player to record a goal and assist in a Champions League fixture, Koumas expressed surprise.
Is that official? It’s not a bad stat, is it? And it’s not a bad name to be alongside. Wow. What a legend. I just want more of this.
Lewis Koumas
Koumas remains focused on his professional responsibilities, noting that his output was essential after a period without direct goal contributions. I need to get goals and assists. I hadn’t had any before Linz so it was really important to get them,
he said. He added that the opportunity to celebrate with the travelling supporters at the end of the match was the highlight of his career, though he noted that a big metal cage
prevented him from joining them directly.
Koumas’s recent run comes during a period of injury-related challenges for the squad, with Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Hugo Ekitike all injured for the recent Premier League fixture against Manchester City.
Related reading
