Andoni Iraola says he forbid Liverpool to sell one player only days after pre-season started
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Andoni Iraola is beginning to shape the Liverpool squad in his own image after picking up two wins on the bounce.The Reds started slightly slowly under their new head coach, but have now begun to look like the kind of team supporters can really get behind.Several players have really stepped up to epitomise the hard-running, full-throttle style of the manager, but a perhaps surprising symbol of this has been Lewis Koumas, who Iraola was asked about in Friday’s pre-Fulham press conference. Who should start in Liverpool’s midfield against Fulham on Saturday?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC/Jan Jruger According to the Liverpool boss, he knew almost immediately that he wanted Koumas to stay in the squad this season, and told the powers that be at Anfield that he would not be going anywhere this summer.Iraola desperately wanted Lewis Koumas aroundThe ascension of Koumas from being right on the very fringes of the first-team to coming on for his Premier League and Champions League debuts this season has been a surprise to many supporters.But, according to Iraola, he saw straight away that the 20-year-old has qualities which can really help the Reds right now.“For me, Koumas, I think the first week I was here I already told the club that he was staying for the season, we had very few doubts, because he is someone who covers us on the 7 on the 9, on the 10, on the 11, he trains very well, good attitude, good player, scores goals,” he said. READ MORE: Andoni Iraola shares whether Bradley Barcola and Cody Gakpo will be fit for Liverpool vs FulhamPhoto by Michael Regan/Getty Images“He needs to add more things obviously, like every young player, but he already has a good amount of experience playing in the Championship at a high level, and I see him ready to help us.
“I like what he gives us and even in scenarios where we’ve been losing, like Newcastle away, or like the other day where we are winning, I think he helps us in both scenarios and I am very happy to have him.”Asked whether it is Koumas’ attitude in particular which has impressed him, Iraola said that the youngster has shown that he is ready to do whatever he needs to help Liverpool win matches.“He is very clear what he needs to do; to help the team,” he said. He understands this and when you have this mentality normally it’s good for the team.”Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox