There was a moment towards the end of the first half of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup third round victory over Tottenham that showed why Andoni Iraola put his faith in the club’s youngsters.
Lewis Koumas pressed goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. He was backed up by James McConnell, who was supported by Rio Ngumoha. Behind him was Trey Nyoni.
It led to Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie playing an aimless pass up the line. Jeremie Frimpong was alert and beat Mathys Tel to it with Nyoni picking up the loose ball. He played it forward to McConnell, who slipped in Koumas. The 21-year-old’s cross took a deflection and fell to Alexis Mac Allister, who could not sort his feet out in time and sent his effort wide of the post.
It is exactly what Andoni Iraola wants from his teams. So while Liverpool’s experienced players earned the headlines with three excellent goals against Spurs, it was the youngsters who stole the show.
Iraola made 10 changes from the 0-0 draw with Fulham and included McConnell (22), Koumas (21), Nyoni (19) and Ngumoha (18) from the start. All played with an intensity and desire that was key to Liverpool securing their place in the fourth round.
“I was happy for them,” Iraola told reporters afterwards. “Different positions, different demands. The best thing is they were dead when I subbed them. Trey was cramping, Rio couldn’t have run a lot more. McConnell the same. When this happens, it’s because you’ve given us what you’ve got. They have been very athletic, willing to win their duels, making their presence felt.”
James McConnell made the most of his chance to shine (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Their fingerprints were over plenty of the good things that Liverpool did. The home side’s first big chance of the game came when Ngumoha’s clever pass released Koumas in on goal. He was denied by Dubravka, but it was one of a number of occasions where the Wales international showcased his intelligent movement.
Koumas did not stop running until he was substituted after 82 minutes, harrying and harassing the experienced centre-back duo of Marco Senesi and Tosin Adarabioyo while also providing an outlet.
Koumas impressed Iraola from the moment pre-season began because of his attitude and application in training. The head coach wanted to keep the forward around rather than loaning him out, valuing his versatility. The decision looks to be a smart one.
“I see him training every day — he knows very clearly what he needs to do, what the team needs,” Iraola said. “The energy he shows is contagious for the rest. When you see the runs upfront, giving everything, you are kind of forced to go behind and use the same intensity levels. I am very happy for him.”
He did not touch the ball in the build up to Mac Allister’s opener, but his movement opened up the space for Cody Gakpo to drive inside and find Ngumoha. The youngster was dispossessed but the ball fell to Mac Allister who curled his effort into the top corner.
Despite being the youngster of the four, Ngumoha is almost viewed differently and seen as a senior first team player because of the strides he has taken in the last 12 months. There is fierce competition for places in wide areas now, but this performance will do him no harm in his attempts to earn more minutes.
If Ngumoha’s breakthrough pre-season came ahead of the 2025-26 season, Nyoni’s came this summer. Nyoni’s impact was never going to be as eye-catching as Ngumoha’s – he scored two and provided two assists ahead of the 2025-26 campaign – given their respective positions on the pitch.
The 19-year-old’s performances offered more than enough encouragement that he could take on a bigger role this season and a new midfielder was not recruited after Jones was sold because of the belief Nyoni could step up.
Central midfield has been a key talking point all season, but especially after the draw with Fulham. Nyoni had only managed 19 minutes before this game but this was further evidence as to why he is pushing for more starts.
The double pivot combination of him and Mac Allister offered Liverpool balance — although it was not perfect — and Nyoni continued his form from pre-season. He looked to progress the ball, he read the game well, contested duels and crucially was happy to back up play and not vacate central areas.
Trey Nyoni was a significant presence in midfield (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s midfield became less stable when he was substituted on 62 minutes. While it is unfair to pile pressure on Nyoni by saying he is the answer to Liverpool’s midfield issue, he looks like he could be a big part of the solution.
It was Nyoni who won possession back and started the move for Liverpool’s second goal. Again, the youngsters played a key part. McConnell exchanged passes with Mac Allister before progressing the ball forward to Ngumoha. His pass found Milos Kerkez, who laid it off to Mac Allister. He played it to Gakpo and the Dutch international did the rest, cutting inside and firing a shot into the far corner.
McConnell, playing in an unfamiliar No. 10 role, grew into the game. Despite plenty of loan interest in the summer, Liverpool decided against allowing the midfielder to leave so he could provide cover. No doubt there would have been an element of disappointment because, until January at least, it means he will be without regular first team football.
The good news is that there is now another Carabao Cup game inon the horizon which all four will hope to feature in. Iraola turned to his experienced players to see out the result, and while Liverpool looked less secure in the final 20 minutes as Tottenham chased an equaliser, Dominik Szoboszlai put the result beyond doubt with a stunning 25-yard shot.
Liverpool entered the campaign with a small squad that lacked depth in a number of areas. Faith was placed in youngsters to step up if and when required; against Tottenham, they did exactly that.
