Lewis Koumas just gave Liverpool fans another reason to remember his name. After a standout display that earned him his first senior Player of the Match award, the young forward revealed the player he has learnt the most from — and it will not surprise anyone who watched him tear into Tottenham at Anfield.
Asked which player has influenced him most, Koumas did not hesitate.
“Yeah, I think I’d definitely say Lucho [Luis Díaz]. I used to love him. I think I’ve said in an interview before. He was my favourite player when he was here. So I was always watching, trying to adapt bits of his into my game.”
That admiration was clear from the first whistle. Koumas pressed with relentless intensity, drove at defenders whenever space appeared, and constantly forced Tottenham’s back line into uncomfortable decisions. His energy never dropped. He tracked back, recovered possession high up the pitch, and offered a constant outlet for Liverpool’s midfield. The performance earned him the match award, and his reaction when Cody Gakpo handed him the trophy captured the moment perfectly: pure surprise followed by a wide, genuine smile. It was the first time Koumas had been named Player of the Match at senior level.
Andoni Iraola had made ten changes from the weekend side, handing several academy players a genuine opportunity to impress. Koumas led the line and immediately stood out. Alongside him, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell and Rio Ngumoha all produced composed, energetic displays that justified the manager’s decision to trust the younger group.
Liverpool took control early. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a well-worked goal that reflected the home side’s early dominance. Cody Gakpo added a second nine minutes after the break, giving Liverpool a comfortable cushion. Tottenham refused to fold completely and pulled one back through Conor Gallagher in the 69th minute, briefly raising the tension inside Anfield. But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished deep into stoppage time when Dominik Szoboszlai produced a moment of real quality — a stunning long-range strike that flew into the top corner and restored Liverpool’s two-goal advantage.
The final score was 3-1. Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but the night carried extra meaning for Koumas. Beyond the result and the individual award, it was further evidence that the hours spent studying Luis Díaz’s movement, pressing and directness have translated onto the pitch. The young forward’s performance showed both the technical influence of the Colombian and the kind of work rate and intensity that Iraola demands.
For Liverpool supporters, nights like this matter. They offer a glimpse of the next generation stepping up when given the chance — and Koumas, with his clear admiration for one of the club’s recent favourites, is already beginning to write his own chapter.
