Jurgen Klopp could start 18-year-old likened to Adam Lallana for Liverpool v Sparta Prague

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool are in Europa League last-16 second-leg action on Thursday night as they look to get the job done against Sparta Prague.

The Reds already have one foot in the quarter-finals, having ran out 5-1 winners over the reigning Czech champions on their own turf last week.

Liverpool will need to be mindful of Sparta coming quickly out of the blocks and ensure their lead doesn’t get whittled down on the night.

At the same time, Jurgen Klopp is likely to make a number of changes to give fringe players and academy stars a chance to shine on the European stage.

One of the players who could get a look-in is Lewis Koumas, who has been making waves in the Liverpool academy and, lately, in the seniors too.

The 18-year-old attacker made his senior Reds debut and got on the scoresheet in the FA Cup fifth-round win over Southampton this year.

Lewis Koumas ‘brilliant’ for Liverpool

Koumas has also been impressing at youth level, with seven goals and two assists in 14 Under-21s outings and 18 goals and six assists in 24 Under-18 appearances.

In November last year, Liverpool youth manager Barry Lewtas sung Koumas’ praises, in conversation with the Reds media team.

“Lewis has been brilliant for us, he really has,” said Lewtas. “He’s a real energetic frontline player, loves to run in behind, he is aggressive in how he approaches the game and has really good technique.

“He is a really good footballer. He has fitted in great with the lads, he has a fantastic character and he just gets on with it, he really does.”

Fans online have also compared Koumas to Liverpool cult hero Adam Lallana and current Reds fan favourite Diogo Jota.

Jayden Danns would’ve likely been under consideration for the game too but, considering he was absent last week due to concussion, Klopp may not want to risk him from the off.