Andoni Iraola has forced complete Liverpool U-turn on four players as newest decision emerges
Andoni Iraola has admitted he blocked another player from leaving Liverpool this summer after what he saw through to the opening weeks of the season.
The Reds were criticised for their lack of business throughout the summer window until they splashed out £123 million on winger Bradley Barcola from PSG, and were left dangerously close to having a paper-thin squad following deadline day.
While the senior squad is still light on the ground, the worst-case scenario has been avoided by the club failing to give the green light for several departures - and Iraola has now revealed that one more first team player can be added to that particular list.
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Andoni Iraola admits he blocked Liverpool player's exit this summer
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday, Iraola explained how he prevented young forward Lewis Koumas from leaving Anfield in the summer.
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The 20-year-old, who is the son of former Cardiff, Tranmere and West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas, was expected to leave the club after being loaned out to Hull City by previous manager Arne Slot for the second half of last season.
But Iraola decided that, under his watch, Koumas would be going nowhere - stating that it took him less than a week of watching him in training to make up his mind.
"I think the first week I was here, I already told the club that he was staying all the season," he said. "I had very few doubts, because he's someone who covers us on the seven, on the nine, on the 10, on the 11. He trains very well, good attitude, good player, scores goals."
"I like what he gives us," Iraola continued. "Even in the scenarios where we've been losing like Newcastle away, the other day when we were winning, I think he helps us in both scenarios and I'm very happy to have him, yes.
"I think he is very clear what he needs to do, and what he needs to do is to help the team. Sometimes it's going to be on the ball, sometimes it's going to be without the ball, sometimes he is going to be attacking the spaces for someone else to receive the ball. And he understands this.
"When you have this mentality, normally it's good for the team."
The Liverpool players Andoni Iraola has kept at Anfield
Koumas' case is not the first time Iraola has acted to keep a player at Anfield.
Midfielder James McConnell was set to join Championship side Preston North End on loan this summer, but the move was vetoed at the last minute. The 21-year-old hasn't played under Iraola so far but has been on the bench in three of Liverpool's four matches this season.
According to the Daily Mail, Iraola asked the club to keep hold of McConnell, and he could play an important role as the season progresses and the fixture schedule becomes more extreme.
And young forward Jayden Danns received loan interest from Championship side West Bromwich Albion in the summer, only for the Reds to turn it down.
Danns didn't play for Liverpool's first team last season but, having recently returned from a thigh injury, Iraola wanted to integrate him into the first team squad and he was on the bench for Wednesday's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Luke Chambers, 22, was also a potential loan candidate, with various Championship clubs keen, but Iraola decided to keep him after he impressed during pre-season in a centre-back role.
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He also made it onto the bench on Wednesday and, although he was an unused substitute, Chambers can cover at centre-back and left-back and could receive more chances as the season goes on.
Topics: Liverpool, Premier League
Ryan Smart