Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas has spoken of his pride at representing his boyhood club after earning the man-of-the-match award in the Carabao Cup third-round win over Tottenham, a performance that reflected the pressing intensity head coach Andoni Iraola has demanded from his forwards. The 20-year-old, who worked tirelessly to create space and chances against Spurs, credited his display to buying into Iraola's tactical demands, saying his style of play embodies "the Liverpool way" of giving everything on the pitch, a message that resonates given the coach's recent criticism of more senior forwards' work rate.

Koumas, who turns 21 on Saturday, called his mother immediately after the 3-1 win to share news of his award, having watched from the stands with family. Iraola pushed for the Chester-born player, son of former Tranmere and West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas, to stay with the first team this summer rather than go out on loan again, after he impressed on Liverpool's pre-season US tour. Capped 12 times by Wales, Koumas made his senior Liverpool debut under Jürgen Klopp over two years ago but spent the following season and a half on loan at Stoke, Birmingham and Hull before finally breaking into Iraola's plans this season with substitute appearances in the Premier League and Champions League.