Sadio Mane has promised to support ‘incredible’ Liverpool talent despite Anfield exit

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Sadio Mane has promised to take a keen interest in Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio as the French defender seeks to establish himself.

It’s fair to say the buzz on Koumetio has died down a little in recent years.

The giant 6ft 5in centre back joined Liverpool from Orleans back in 2018 having previously been with Lyon.

There was real hype surrounding the Frenchman with Jurgen Klopp branding him ‘incredible’ back in December 2020.

Koumetio has made two first-team appearances for Liverpool but hasn’t quite managed to kick on with the Reds.

Liverpool chose to loan Koumetio out this season but his move to Austria Wien isn’t exactly going to plan.

Koumetio has made just five league appearances for Austria Wien and hasn’t featured in a league game since September.

Sadio Mane taking keen interest in Liverpool’s Koumetio

This is far from ideal for Koumetio’s development and you could hardly blame Liverpool if they wanted to recall Koumetio in January and send him elsewhere.

Koumetio is still contracted to Liverpool until 2025 but will ultimately need to show progress and development if he is to become a first-team player at Anfield.

Koumetio has opened up on his move to Austria Wien and admitted to the Liverpool Echo that he is still taking plenty from his loan spell despite the lack of games.

The move to Austria is something that Sadio Mane will know plenty about.

Mane had also been coming through in France – just like Koumetio – before heading to Austria with Red Bull Salzburg.

Mane was outstanding there and earned his move to Southampton, which put him on the path to Liverpool and now Bayern Munich.

The 30-year-old may have left Liverpool over the summer but he vowed to take a keen interest in Koumetio.

Koumetio admitted that he spoke to Mane before making his move away and the Senegal ace promised to watch his games and support him throughout.

Koumetio didn’t actually ask Mane about Austria though but was delighted to have Mane’s support with the experienced attacker taking the time to aid a young player.

“I spoke to Sadio Mane during the holidays. I told him I would go on loan,” said Koumetio. “He supported me, saying if I go on loan, any league that I went to, he will support me and watch the games. But I didn’t talk to him about exactly the club or league I would go to,” he added.