Lewis Koumas aiming to impress senior Wales boss Rob Page and earn call-up
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Lewis Koumas has now scored on his Liverpool and Wales Under-21 debuts
Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas says he is aiming to impress Rob Page to earn a senior Wales call-up.
The 18-year-old scored on his Under-21 debut as Matty Jones' Wales side beat Lithuania to top qualifying Group I.
He said he was inspired by Page's senior squad after sharing a training camp in the build up to their Euro 2024 play-off win over Finland.
"It's really motivated me to see if I can try and get myself in and around the senior squad," said Koumas.
"That's what I came here to do - to try and leave an impression and hopefully Rob Page can see that."
Page was in the stands at Rodney Parade to see Koumas' superb first time finish from the edge of the area just 11 minutes after coming off the bench for his first cap at this level.
It came just weeks after notching his first goal in his first senior appearance for Liverpool in the FA Cup win over Southampton, having been part of Jurgen Klopp's squad for the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea days earlier.
"It's been a great period for me, a crazy journey but a lot of positives to take from it," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"It's only the start and I have to keep my head down, keep training, keep a smile on my face and see where it takes me."
He hopes that includes a senior international career with Wales, noting the succession of young talent promoted to the Wales set-up, including Birmingham City's 19-year-old midfielder Jordan James who started in Thursday's 4-1 play-off semi-final win over Finland.
With James admitting he had not anticipated being one win away from potentially appearing at a major championships, Koumas said: "It shows anything can happen and you have to be ready at any time so if you are called upon you take your chance.
"I've put the Welsh shirt on a couple of times now but this was really good, and being around the seniors this week has been motivating me and driving me even more to go and do what I did.
"Just coming on the pitch for Wales was a great feeling but to help them in a game like that and score the winner was a great feeling and hopefully I've shown what I can do."
Born in Chester, Koumas qualifies for Wales via his father, the mercurial 34-cap international Jason Koumas.
"I think he would have been proud of the finish because he was a great finisher, but I train to do what I was able to do tonight," said Koumas, who had been reportedly previously targeted by England before winning two Wales Under-19 caps last year.
"He doesn't really talk about his side of things, he just keeps it on me and focusses on me."