‘Proper talent’: Lijnders hails Liverpool teen who could make debut against Lincoln

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Pep Lijnders has suggested that ‘proper talent’ Billy Koumetio is in contention for a Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup third round clash with Lincoln City on Thursday night, speaking at a pre-match press conference.

While the likes of Neco Williams, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones have made big impressions since forcing their way into Jurgen Klopp’s star-studded first-team, the brightest talent in Liverpool’s academy could be a Paris-born 17-year-old who has been turning heads at Melwood for some time now.

A former Lyon starlet who signed professional terms at Anfield last summer, Koumetio caught the eye in a pre-season friendly against Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg recently.

If he can overcome a niggling injury and pass a fitness check, a highly-talented teenager compared by many to a young Virgil van Dijk could be rewarded with a senior bow at Sincil Bank.

“Billy is a proper talent,” says Liverpool coach Lijnders, performing media duties on Klopp’s behalf.

“He needs time as well, and we want to give him that time.

“It is important you have centre-halves who can win the first challenge. He can, even in the air, put the ball where he wants to put it. We like to give him the opportunity to develop with us and become a strong centre-half for Liverpool in the future.”

Fortunately, Liverpool have a coach who is perhaps the best in the game when it comes to helping fresh-faced youngsters become established, top-level stars. As Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane will no doubt attest.

With Fabinho’s presence at centre-half highlighting Liverpool’s lack of defensive depth at Chelsea, tomorrow could be the first of many appearances in that famous red shirt for Koumetio.