Photo: Humphrey Bolton / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Lewis Koumas impressed for 75 minutes in Liverpool's 3-2 pre-season defeat to AS Monaco at Anfield on Sunday, as the 20-year-old Wales international continues to push for a place in Andoni Iraola's squad.
Koumas, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull City, said daily training alongside senior Liverpool players has accelerated his development. "It's always good and obviously I train with them every day, so it's always good to try to take bits of their game and put it into mine," the winger told Liverpoolfc.com.
The midfielder reported feeling in the best physical shape of his career. "It's the best I've ever felt physically, so I've just got to keep training," he said.
Koumas outlined the specific demands Iraola has placed on him. "He [Iraola] is just encouraging me to just play my game, press, work hard and continue to try to adapt to how he wants us to play."
The youngster also welcomed the return to his home ground. "It was really good to be back at Anfield with the fans. I thought they were great," Koumas added. "A few chances [for me]. I just [need to] keep getting in the area and they'll come hopefully."