Lewis Koumas insists he never lost faith about making the grade at Liverpool.
Koumas took on a starring role as Andoni Iraola’s side booked their place in the Carabao Cup’s fourth round courtesy of Tuesday’s 3-1 home win over Tottenham.
The Wales international spent the previous two seasons on loan with Stoke, Birmingham City and Hull as first-team opportunities proved limited at Anfield.
But the new Reds coach blocked another potential short-term exit for Koumas in his opening weeks at the helm and has been rewarded with several promising displays.
The 20-year-old’s man-of-the-match outing against Spurs came on the back of being handed outings by Iraola in the Premier League and Champions League.
And Koumas feels his unwavering belief about regular first-team involvement at his boyhood club involvement was key to earning his chance to shine under the Basque.
He said: “I never showed a weak mentality about how the future would look for me at Liverpool.
“I always had the drive that I would get here. The reason for going out on loan was to prepare for this moment. It all sort of worked out.
“A lot of hunger can be lost in the game with how things go.
“But for me coming through the pre-academy and right through the academy, my hunger has always been there.
“My hunger comes from representing Liverpool Football Club; wanting to give everything for the best club in the world.”
Koumas has also outlined why Iraola’s intensive approach to all aspects of his Liverpool reign struck a chord with him since the early weeks of pre-season.
“The past two years have been massive for my development,” added the forward.
“Going out on loan helped me to become the player I am today. I was able to impress the new manager in pre-season and it’s all worked out well.
“It gives me so much motivation the fact he’s putting me in for a game like this. I want to kick on now.
“I definitely feel like I’m playing for [the fans] and the fans were amazing tonight.
“A lot of [what is being asked] is about what I do off the ball. The gaffer has shown trust to me that I can carry out his plans in terms of how we want to play tactically.
“It’s really intense. There’s a lot of hard work, no sort of light days – everyone putting in 100 per cent [on the training pitch].”