In some Liverpool transfer news, Billy Koumetio is back at Kirkby.
The Reds confirmed on their official website yesterday that the towering defender has been recalled from his season-long loan at Austria Vienna.
There’s no doubt that Koumetio’s return is linked to the injury to Virgil van Dijk, who has a hamstring injury.
But broadly speaking, Liverpool might’ve inadvertently hinted that a certain Nat Phillips is likely to leave this month.
Van Dijk is a big player for Jurgen Klopp but, between Phillips, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate, the German manager isn’t short on centre-back options.
And therefore recalling Koumetio makes no sense, unless one of the aforementioned names was likely to leave.
Phillips has played more U21 football this season than he has in the Premier League and after hinting last summer that he wanted to leave, well his departure certainly looks plausible now in light of Koumetio’s return.
Liverpool supporters will be sad to lose him.
After all, Klopp labelled him ‘absolutely insane‘ toward the end of the 2020-21 campaign following a series of stellar defensive performances which helped the Reds finish in the top four that season.
But he’s too good to be playing reserve football and the odd Cup game under Klopp, who will surely not stand in his way.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
