---
title: "‘Incredible’ – Andoni Iraola names two Liverpool players who have really surprised him"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/incredible-andoni-iraola-names-two-liverpool-players-who-have-really-surprised-him/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Vishal Subramanian"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2026-08-28T19:53:15Z"
modified: "2026-09-27T04:12:33Z"
---

# ‘Incredible’ – Andoni Iraola names two Liverpool players who have really surprised him

Andoni Iraola has been settling into life at Anfield since taking over from Arne Slot, and the early signs from the Iraola Liverpool project point to two academy names standing out. This update, published on 27 September 2026, confirms [Trey Nyoni](https://readliverpoolfc.com/squad/trey-nyoni/) and [Lewis Koumas](https://readliverpoolfc.com/squad/lewis-koumas/) as the pair who have most caught the new manager’s eye. Iraola gave his first extended verdict on the club’s young talent in a TNT Sports interview.

## Iraola Single-Outs Impressive Youngsters in Early Anfield Assessment

Since replacing Slot in the Anfield dugout, Iraola has spent his early weeks assessing the whole squad, from senior internationals down to academy graduates. Two names have stood out to him quickly: Nyoni and Koumas.

Both players have come through Liverpool’s academy pathway and are now pushing for regular involvement in Iraola’s first-team plans. The manager’s willingness to name them publicly suggests he already trusts them enough to feature when the chance comes.

## Iraola Praises Nyoni and Koumas in TNT Sports Interview

Iraola made his comments in a sit-down interview with TNT Sports, where he was asked directly which young players had surprised him most since arriving at the club. He picked out Nyoni and Koumas without hesitation.

His answer carries weight given his track record for developing young players during his time at Bournemouth. Praise like this, aimed at two academy graduates so early in his reign, will excite supporters hoping to see homegrown talent break through under the new regime.

## What Iraola Said About Nyoni and Koumas

On Nyoni, Iraola was direct and complimentary. He told TNT Sports:

> In terms of young players, Trey Nyoni is an incredible player.

He then turned to Koumas, highlighting the winger’s flexibility and mentality as key assets:

> Lewis Koumas – I think he’s going to be a big help for us because he can play basically everywhere in the attacking positions. I love his attitude.

Both quotes came from the same TNT Sports interview and mark Iraola’s clearest public endorsement yet of either player.

## Iraola Liverpool Impact: How Nyoni Fits Into Midfield Rebuild

Curtis Jones has now left Liverpool, and that departure has opened real space in central midfield. Under the Iraola Liverpool setup, Nyoni looks like the player best placed to fill it.

Jones’s exit removes a senior option who had long been first in line for midfield minutes behind the regular starters. With that competition gone, Nyoni has a clearer route into matchday squads and, in time, the starting eleven. Iraola’s public praise for him reads as more than a passing compliment given this context. It signals that the manager already sees Nyoni as part of his midfield plans, not just a name for the future.

## What Happens Next for Nyoni and Koumas

Neither player is guaranteed a starting shirt overnight, but both now have a manager on record backing their qualities. Nyoni will look to build on minutes already earned, including his part in the [Carabao Cup win at Anfield](https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-3-1-tottenham-carabao-cup-report/), while Koumas will hope his versatility earns him more chances across the front line.

Liverpool’s recent form, including the [away victory over Bournemouth](https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/bournemouth-vs-liverpool-match-report-isak-winner/), has given Iraola room to experiment with his squad. Fuller detail on the manager’s original comments can be found in the [original interview report](https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/incredible-andoni-iraola-names-two-liverpool-players-who-have-really-surprised-him/). For now, Nyoni and Koumas remain two of the clearest beneficiaries of Iraola’s early assessment at Anfield.