Craig Bellamy Praises Liverpool’s Handling of Lewis Koumas

Wales manager Craig Bellamy has praised Liverpool for their handling of Lewis Koumas ahead of the national team’s Nations League trip to Norway.

The 21-year-old forward has emerged as a regular feature in Liverpool’s matchday squads under Andoni Iraola this season. Koumas has made nine total appearances for the club, including a start against Manchester City and two starts in the Champions League, where he scored his first goal in a 6-3 victory away against Austrian side LASK.

The 21-year-old has impressed since joining the Reds, making seven appearances this season including a start against Manchester City and two Champions League starts under manager Adoni Iraola. Bellamy highlighted Koumas’s attributes and work rate, saying: “If you could send me a forward, he's my forward. He's the type of player I adore.”

Before breaking into the Liverpool setup this season, Koumas gained valuable experience across three separate loan spells in the English second tier. He made 31 starts and scored six goals during a 2024-25 campaign with Stoke City, followed by a more difficult stint at Birmingham City. He then helped Hull City win promotion to the Premier League in the latter half of last season.

Loans can be hit and miss at times and I’m actually surprised by the amount of game time he’s had at such a young age in the Championship. It helps with their development. They see it, they smell it. In that period some take off, some don’t, but it’s not going to define your career.

Craig Bellamy, Wales manager

Bellamy said that Liverpool ultimately decided to keep the young forward for pre-season training this year, which he described as a real example of how to progress a top, young talent.

The Wales boss drew comparisons between Koumas’s work rate and that of former Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez. Bellamy emphasized that the player’s physical metrics match the demands of top-tier football.

Intensity and sprint distance through the roof and when you look at a top player he has all the markers for that. I like him at nine and I love that intensity. I remember [Carlos] Tevez doing the same for me at Manchester City and players like Koumy inspire you.

Craig Bellamy, Wales manager

Koumas previously scored his first senior international goal against Ghana in a friendly match back in June. He now prepares for Wales’s fixture against Norway in Oslo as the squad looks to secure points to boost their chances of League A survival.

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