Young center-back Bily Koumetio has been called up by Liverpool following a loan stint in Austria, the club has announced.
The 20-year-old enrolled in Austria Vienna last summer with plans to stay for the entire season. Koumetio has since returned early to the AXA Training Center, according to liverpoolfc.com.
The young Frenchman gained some respectable experience this season, playing 15 times for the senior team. But Liverpool has decided to bring him back to base after he recently lost favor.
There’s no indication yet as to whether a different club will be sought after for Koumetio, or if he’ll stick around.
However, this was not surprising news. Last week, rumors circulated that Koumetio might be returning to Liverpool.
According to the remarks of Vienna’s sporting director, the choice was made almost exclusively by Liverpool.
“We are in close contact, and I have a phone meeting with Liverpool later because they want to bring Koumetio back,” Manuel Ortlechner said on January 3rd, according to Sky Sports Austria.
“We still think he’s a tremendously exciting talent,” says the coach. He has the potential for a very spectacular career. Liverpool has the legal right to bring him back immediately. We still need to clear things up, but Billy Koumetio will no longer play for Austria Wien.”
That would imply that the Reds were dissatisfied with the Frenchman’s playing time in Vienna.
With half a season left, January was a fantastic opportunity to move Koumetio somewhere more profitable. It remains to be seen where it will be.
Some supporters may believe that the kid is back to provide protection for Virgil van Dijk. But that appears to be an impossibility.
Instead, if the perfect club can be found for Koumetio, he’ll most certainly be packing his belongings once more very soon.
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