Lewis Koumas' emergence at Liverpool and Wales has come as no surprise to Calum Scanlon, who has seen the 21-year-old's relentless approach first-hand during their years together in the club's academy.
Scanlon, currently on loan at Cardiff City from Liverpool, progressed through the youth set-ups on Merseyside alongside Koumas, from under-18s to under-21s, and also shared first-team sessions and pre-season campaigns with the Wales international.
Relentless pressing catches Iraola's eye
Koumas has begun to make his mark at senior level for both Liverpool and Wales, with his emergence during the latest international break providing a major positive for Craig Bellamy's side. He has also established himself around new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola's first-team squad this season after the Spaniard opted against sending him out on loan.
Scanlon believes one of the qualities that has always defined his former academy team-mate is exactly what has helped him catch Iraola's eye.
"If you look at his game, how he presses, that relentless [approach], he's always at it. That's always been him, so it comes as no surprise that that's how he's got into the team," Scanlon said.
Manager values work rate and attacking attributes
Scanlon says Iraola is particularly appreciative of those qualities, with the Liverpool boss demanding an intense, aggressive approach from his players.
"The manager loves that. He loves counter-pressing, he loves players that work hard, but he also has the attributes to go forward and to be an effective player," Scanlon said.
Koumas has been given opportunities in Liverpool's first-team squad in recent weeks and has carried that form into international football, where he has emerged as an increasingly important attacking option for Wales.
Vote of confidence at Anfield
Koumas' rise has prompted plenty of discussion around his decision to remain at Liverpool rather than head out on loan again. Former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy recently described the decision as a huge vote of confidence from Iraola, arguing that remaining around Liverpool's elite first-team environment could be more beneficial to the youngster's development than another temporary move elsewhere.
Murphy also highlighted the energy and tenacity Koumas possesses, qualities which Scanlon has echoed from his own experience of playing and training alongside him.
"So there's no surprise for me. He's a top player and I'm sure he's going to have a good season," Scanlon said.
With Iraola seemingly valuing exactly those attributes, Koumas' stock at Anfield appears to be continuing to rise.
