LFC Daytrippers contributor Grizz Khan has been discussing the young Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio.
The 17-year-old made an appearance during the recent friendly victory over Stuttgart, in which the Anfield club ran out 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Rhian Brewster.
Koumetio arrived on Merseyside from Orleans in January 2019 and is a French Under 18 international. The centre-back is yet to appear for Jurgen Klopp’s first-team in a competitive fixture but judging by his assessment of the 6 ft 4in defender, it’s clear Khan has been very impressed by what he’s seen of the player.
Here is what he had to say: “He’s better than Tyrone Mings already. We have got a player, 17-years-old, 6ft 4in, he’s training with the first-team squad. First of all, you’ve got to have something about you to be training with this first-team squad. He looked very comfortable on the ball and very calm.”
TIF Thoughts…
In our view, the comparison to Tyrone Mings, a player who has made 50 Premier League appearances (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk) feels a little premature considering that Koumetio is yet to play a single Premier League game.
Dejan Lovren recently left Liverpool after just over six years to join Zenit St. Petersburg in a deal reportedly worth £10.8m, meaning unless the Reds go out and sign a central defender, Klopp could be looking to promote one of the club’s young defenders.
Do you think Koumetio will play for the first-team someday?
Yes
No
Although it is still very early days for Koumetio, Khan’s assessment of his performance may give some fans hope that one day the Frenchman could go on to play for the first-team regularly.