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Dominik Szoboszlai joined the chorus of praise for Lewis Koumas and James McConnell following Liverpool's victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, going as far as stating that the two youngsters "deserve to play" regularly for the high-spending Reds squad.
Neither Koumas, 20, nor McConnell, 22, have ever started a Premier League match for Liverpool, yet both burst into the Carabao Cup third-round clash at Anfield with precisely the kind of vibrant energy that Andoni Iraola has been craving this season.
Liverpool's new manager made 10 alterations to the lineup that struggled to a dull goalless stalemate with Fulham on Saturday, most notably resting Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola — a trio whose combined transfer fees exceed $490 million over the past year.
Iraola has repeatedly called for greater urgency and intensity from his attacking players during a challenging transitional period toward a more purposeful style of play. Koumas and McConnell, who operated as the dynamic central pairing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, answered that call emphatically.
"They both did a really good job," Szoboszlai enthused to Sky Sports following the 2–1 victory. "Koumas with his timing and McConnell with his running ability. Both of them deserve to play. They both played very well. And now they will make it really hard for the gaffer."
The manager himself has been singing Koumas's praises since the preseason. "I said it during the week and I say it for a reason — I see it in training every day," Iraola beamed on Tuesday. "The energy he brings is contagious for everyone around him. When the players up front lead by example, it forces those behind them to follow suit."
Liverpool Come Closest to Iraola's Ideal Against Tottenham
While McConnell was deployed in a slightly more advanced midfield position than he typically occupies, Koumas stood out as a relentless pressing force at the head of an attack that was noticeably sharper without the ball.
Liverpool regained possession in the final third eight times against Spurs — twice their current Premier League seasonal average.
Following the Fulham match, Iraola identified the team's ineffective press as the root cause of their lack of attacking threat. "We were winning the ball back very deep, and when that happens you're attacking against 11 players, which makes it much harder to create a difference," Iraola lamented. "We need to recover the ball as high up the pitch as possible because it makes the attacking phase far easier and gives us more opportunities to attack in one-on-one situations."
Iraola has made it crystal clear that the responsibility for pressing begins with his forwards. "If the players up front do their job well, then the defenders and midfielders look good," he stated plainly. "When the players ahead of you are doing their job, you look like a better midfielder or defender because you win duels more easily and have a greater chance of coming out on top. It is a collective effort."
Liverpool travel to Iraola's former club Bournemouth on Sunday in what promises to be a meaningful fixture. The Basque coach spent three seasons shaping the Cherries in his own relentless image. By the conclusion of his final season on the south coast, Bournemouth ranked third in the Premier League for total high turnovers and turnovers that resulted in a shot on goal.
It famously took Iraola over two months to secure his first Premier League win at Bournemouth, let alone embed his characteristically intense style of play. He is well aware that the same patience will not be extended to him at Liverpool, but relying on players more naturally aligned with his philosophy could help ease that transition.