With Liverpool’s pre-season winding down and the 2026-27 season drawing near, chances for Liverpool’s youth and fringe players to impress new head coach Andoni Iraola have nearly past and for many there have been three players on that front who have stood out more than any others.
In midfield, Trey Nyoni has made a case for minutes backing up Ryan Gravenberch while in defence, centre half Ifeanyi Ndukwe has been the the standout—though work permit issues mean he will have to be loaned to a club on the continent.
Meanwhile in attack, Lewis Koumas has drawn praise.
The 20-year-old attacker has lined up at centre forward and on the wing in pre-season, and while he likely ranks a longer shot than Nyoni to stick in the first team picture, he’s made the most of his opportunities and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him stay at the club this season and play in the cups.
“It’s the best I’ve felt physically so I’ve just got to keep training,” Koumas said of pre-season involvement. “The manager is encouraging me to play my game, press, work hard, and to continue to try to adapt to how he wants us to play so I’ve had a few chances and they’ll keep coming hopefully.”
A final chance for Koumas and Liverpool’s other youth and fringe players will come Sunday when the Reds play back-to-back friendlies against Como—with the first held behind closed doors and the second in front of fans at Anfield—before kicking off the season on the 23rd against Newcastle.
