Liverpool centre-back Billy Koumetio has left the club on loan, with the young Frenchman joining FK Austria Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga for 2022/23.
More than two years ago now, Koumetio first caught the attention of Jurgen Klopp, so much so that, then aged just 17, he was called up for pre-season with the first team in 2020.
He’s been named to the squad six times this campaign and came off the bench on his senior Champions League debut, but fell back to the Under-23s for most of last season.
A 45-minute performance against Leicester in the League Cup quarter-final highlighted Koumetio as a work in progress, it’s clear he would need to improve to establish himself as a first-team option.
The 19-year-old has now had the opportunity to do so as a regular starter at the highest level, joining FK Austria Wien on a season-long loan.
Liverpool have confirmed the deal as their fourth loan of the transfer window so far, following Conor Bradley (Bolton), Adam Lewis (Newport County) and Jakub Ojrzynski (Radomiak Radom).
It could be a profitable move for Koumetio, who will be looking to cement himself as a starter in Vienna.
Austria Wien finished third in the Bundesliga last season, behind Red Bull Salzburg and Sturm Graz, to qualify for this year’s Europa League qualifiers.
They are managed by former player Manfred Schmid, who took over from Peter Stoger in 2021.
Koumetio is not set to be the last young player to leave Liverpool on loan this summer, with Rhys Williams, Sepp van den Berg, Leighton Clarkson, Jake Cain, Paul Glatzel and Owen Beck also touted with moves.
Good luck Billy!
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