Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has raved about Billy Koumetio to the club’s official website.
Klopp was overall pleased with the performance of Koumetio during Liverpool’s 7-2 win against Blackpool in their final pre-season friendly match of the summer on Saturday.
The 17-year-old central defender was at fault for Blackpool’s opening goal, as CJ Hamilton wriggled away from him and ran clear to put the ball past goalkeeper Alisson.
The teenager did relatively well as the match went on, although he did appear nervous on occasions.
It was the youngster’s first start for Liverpool, and he was replaced at half time by Klopp.
The Liverpool manager has given his take on the performance of Koumetio, and has hailed him as a “big talent”.
Klopp told Liverpool’s official website when asked if Koumetio will learn from the match: “Absolutely. We had some problems in the first half. [The opening goal] was a pressed ball against a very experienced player, who was stronger in that moment. Billy played super balls, super passes and was there.
“Our last line played [for the] first time together like this, it is completely fine, but we were just not high enough. There were many situations where I though it must be offside, but it wasn’t offside. For one reason at least, it was not offside because we were not really in line.
“All these things, little things to learn, but 17 years old, the whole life in front of him, which is really nice. [He is a] big talent and, as I said, he had a few really, really good situations, but in this press ball, it was not so nice.”
One for the future
Koumetio is only 17 years of age, and he is unlikely to get much playing time for Liverpool this season.
However, there is no doubt that the centre-back is very talented, and he will get his chance in the coming years.
For now, the French teenager needs to work hard in training and progress at the youth level before making the step-up to the senior side on a regular basis.
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