Lewis Koumas marked his return for Liverpool Under-18s with a brace as the young Reds fell to a 5-2 defeat away at Sunderland on Saturday.
The 17-year-old hadn’t played for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side since October because of a foot injury. But having made his playing return in the UEFA Youth League against FC Porto earlier this month, the forward started in attack up in the North East.
Koumas scored seven goals from just six Premier League U18 matches prior to injury, with Liverpool winless in the league since October in his absence. And despite the forward’s return, starting in attack alongside Keyrol Figueroa and Jayden Danns (the trio sons of former Premier League stars Jason Koumas, Maynor Figueroa, and Neil Danns), he was unable to help the young Reds reverse that slump against title-chasing Sunderland.
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Liverpool found themselves 1-0 down after just three minutes as Ethan Moore opened the scoring, and while Koumas would head home Figueroa’s cross to equalise moments later, Sunderland soon ran riot.
Braces from Mason Cotcher and Jake Waters saw them build a convincing 5-1 lead inside just 51 minutes. And while Koumas would net a late consolation, the loss leaves the young Reds winless from their last 11 league matches. Picking up just two points during this run, they could find themselves bottom of the table if Newcastle United pick up at least two points from their two games-in-hand.
Of course, such a plight only tells half the story at the Academy with Liverpool seeing a number of players step up to Under-21s and senior action. Also nursing a number of injuries throughout the campaign, they have been left with a young side as a result, as demonstrated by a number of Under-16s players playing against Sunderland.
Now boasting nine goals from seven league matches, and 12 goals in all competitions, Koumas will be looking to help Liverpool Under-18s rediscover form and finish the season strongly.
Liverpool U18s: Mrozek; Davidson (Osborne, 61), Giblin, Furnell-Gill (Pitt, 87), Pinnington; Laffey, Kelly (Onanuga, 77), Morrison (Gift, 61); Figueroa, Koumas, Danns.
Unused subs: Hewitson.
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