Liverpool confirm loan recall as questions mount over what went wrong
Liverpool have confirmed that Lewis Koumas has returned from his loan spell at Birmingham City, a move that naturally prompts questions about why the switch failed to deliver the desired impact.
The statement on Liverpoolfc.com was brief and to the point.
“Lewis Koumas has returned to Liverpool from his loan spell at Birmingham City,” it read, noting that the 20-year-old “made 25 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal”.
On the surface, the recall is not alarming in terms of availability. Koumas stayed fit and was involved regularly.
The concern comes when you weigh that involvement against the purpose of a loan spell: building rhythm, starting matches, and being given a defined role. Those elements were largely missing.
Limited minutes behind Koumas’ return
The core issue is straightforward: Koumas did not play enough. According to SofaScore, he featured 23 times in the league but started only seven matches, accumulating just 771 minutes. That equates to brief cameos rather than the sustained 70–90 minute outings that help young attackers sharpen their decision-making and confidence.
That lack of continuity explains why the loan ended without real momentum in either direction.
Koumas had already shown he could cope with the physical demands of the Championship during a previous spell at Stoke, which makes this period at Birmingham feel more like a sideways move than a step forward.
Earlier this month, the player himself alluded to the situation, referencing the contrast with his game time last season and confirming that discussions had taken place with Liverpool.
Birmingham statistics underline the issue
A look at his 2025/26 league numbers (via SofaScore) paints a clear picture:
Appearances (starts): 23 (7)
Minutes: 771
Goals: 1
xG: 1.02
Shots per game: 0.5
Big chances missed: 3
xA: 0.80
Accurate passes: 4.9 per game (71%)
The standout concern is his limited attacking impact. One goal and three missed big chances suggest opportunities did arise, but not frequently enough — and without the sharpness needed to demand a regular starting spot.
It also points to a player rotated in and out of the side, rather than one trusted to play through quieter spells.
From Liverpool’s perspective, the next step is uncertain. Arne Slot has not relied heavily on youth this season, making a direct pathway into the first team appear unlikely in the short term.
What Koumas needs now is a fresh reset — the kind that turns a loan return into a sustained run of games elsewhere. His ability is not in doubt. He remains a Wales international, has a senior Liverpool goal to his name, and comes from a strong footballing background as the son of former Red Jason Koumas.
Ultimately, though, development is driven by minutes, not credentials. Koumas was available and involved at Birmingham, but the lack of starts, modest output, and limited attacking influence meant the loan never truly took off.