‘Wow’: Klopp names the Liverpool player who’s really impressed him in pre-season training

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has told the club’s official website that he has been very impressed by Billy Koumetio.

Koumetio has been called up to train with Liverpool’s first-team in Austria, and the 17-year-old seems to be making the most of his opportunity.

The teenager has already impressed Klopp, as he has developed so much physically.

And the Liverpool boss suggests that a season of under-23 football will do wonders for the prospect’s development.

“Billy the kid. He doesn’t look like a kid!” Klopp said. “In my opinion, his face looks like a kid but then all the rest is like, wow!

“I told him, ‘Last time I saw you, you were like 20 centimetres less if I’m right.’ That’s pretty special. Yes, he’s a big talent.

“Billy was unfortunately injured for quite a while, so he’s now coming back. The perfect situation would be that he maybe really first be with the U23s and stuff like this. But a training camp is a nice opportunity for him, it’s good for us to see him.”

If Koumetio can develop into a top class centre-back it would be a massive boost for Liverpool.

Dejan Lovren’s departure means there is currently a gap in their squad at centre-back, which may be filled by a youngster.

Liverpool actually a number of promising young defenders breaking through at the club, with Neco Williams, Sepp van den Berg and Ki Jana Hoever all said to have bright futures.

Koumetio now seems to be the latest exciting youngster to show his talents in the first-team, and it will be interesting to see whether he is rewarded with game time over pre-season.