Craig Bellamy handed a ‘fearless’ Liverpool wonderkid his competitive international debut .
The former Liverpool cult hero, who had two separate stints on Merseyside, is now in charge of the Welsh senior national team.
Bellamy was appointed as the nation’s manager back in July and made his international bow in the Nations League against Turkey on Friday night.
But it would prove to be a frustrating night for Wales in Cardiff as Bellamy’s side played out a 0-0 stalemate against a tough Turkish side.
However, there was a silver lining for one Liverpool wonderkid, who made his competitive international debut in the match.
Craig Bellamy hands ‘fearless’ Lewis Koumas his international debut
There were two current Liverpool players in Bellamy’s Wales squad with Lewis Koumas and Owen Beck, earning a call-up to the team. Both are currently out on loan at EFL club, Koumas is at Stoke City, meanwhile, Beck is at Blackburn Rovers and caught the eye on his debut.
It was the former who was handed an opportunity by Bellamy, who described Koumas as ‘fearless’ in the build-up to the game [The Guardian].
“With Lewis, every bit I’ve seen of him, I’ve just loved,” Bellamy said. “Fearless. He’s one of those players who just, every time he has it, you feel like something’s going to happen, something positive happens.
“They’re the players you would love to coach or you’d love to just go and watch.”
Lewis Koumas Liverpool
And he sent Koumas on with just under twenty minutes to go for his competitive debut against Turkey.
The Liverpool youngster had previously featured in two friendly appearances against Gibraltar and Slovakia, both away from home. However, this was his first competitive and home appearance for Wales.
While his substitution did not inspire a late Wales victory, Koumas did make an impressive impression with some positive touches, constantly trying to instigate opportunities his side.
Next up for Wales will be Montenegro on 9th September away from home, where Kouma will be hoping for even more minutes.
