According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool academy forward Will Wright scored a hat-trick for Liverpool in a midweek match, earning widespread praise. In an interview, he mentioned that Koumas' performance inspires him, and he hopes to join the first team and learn from players like Isak.
Wednesday was a memorable European night for the past, present, and future of the Liverpool academy.
In Liverpool's Champions League victory away to LASK, academy product Lewis Koumas scored on his first start, Trey Nyoni made his official debut, and Luke Chambers came off the bench for his first appearance in the competition.
Just hours earlier, not far away in Pasching, the in-form Well-Wright and emerging Luca Eden also contributed to help the Reds' U19 team come from behind against the same opponent in the UEFA Youth League, securing a remarkable victory.
Wright scored a second-half hat-trick, and Eden netted a record-breaking goal, helping Liverpool turn a 0-2 deficit into a 4-2 win shortly after halftime.
The 18-year-old Wright has already scored 9 goals in 8 academy appearances this season. Towards the end of last season, he was on the first-team bench four times and participated in pre-season preparations under Iraola. Now, he sees Koumas' rise under the new Liverpool manager as motivation.
"Of course, I just need to keep working hard like Louie, and my teammates do the same," Wright said. "When they come back, you ask 'how was it?', and they say everyone is working hard. That's the standard we have to chase."
"My motivation is purely to get into the first team, train, and learn from players like Isak and Victor Hugo."
"I like that type of deep-lying forward, who likes to run in behind, always being aggressive. I think that's very much like me too. That's how I grew up, I grew up in grassroots football, playing on pitches that often had rabbit holes. You have to learn to deal with that environment."
"I cherish the pitches and facilities I train and play on because sometimes they might not be yours in an instant."
When asked if his recent goal spree had caught Iraola's attention, Wright said: "I hope so. I've been in good form since the start of the season, and now I just need to keep that momentum going."
"This is my first hat-trick at the club. I am certainly a goalscorer, but I also want to be a more all-round player."
So, what message did Iraola convey? Wright said: "Not just for me, but for the entire academy, the focus is on energy and pressing. Klopp had that idea of pressing at the right time. The new manager is exactly the same; he likes energetic teams."
"Personally, I remember it was a new system during pre-season, and it took me a little while to adapt. But by watching games and talking to a few teammates, you slowly get the hang of it. It gives you more tools to play better in the first team."
Liverpool U21 coach Rob Page, who is once again leading the U19 team in the UEFA Youth League this season, has appointed Wright as captain twice in the competition. He said: "You see Koumas' performance in the first team and the vitality he brings to the attack, which comes from academy development, and Will has similar qualities."
"If you add his ability to that, you have the makings of a very good player. He leads by example, does the right things, and sets the tone in training."
"He's very popular with the coaches and external coaches. Our manager came with a clear coaching philosophy, and the style of play he wants suits many players. Now they've seen the path with Rio, Trey, and now Koumas."
Liverpool's third goal against LASK, which put them ahead, came from 15-year-old midfielder Eden. Earlier, he assisted Wright, helping the Reds get back on track and becoming Liverpool's youngest goalscorer in the UEFA Youth League.
Page remains impressed with the highly-touted youngster's progress. He said: "We could have taken Luca off to protect him because he picked up an early yellow card, but sometimes you have to give them these moments to mature and become resilient."
"He had to put in a mature performance in the second half because he was on a yellow card. He had to be disciplined in defense and then gradually got into the game. Towards the end, his energy to press and press again was incredible."
"If we didn't think he was capable of playing in such a game, we wouldn't have played him. He proved himself against Atlético. After going through this, he will only get stronger."
"He has a bright future, but we will manage him in the right way, only letting him play such games when necessary."
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