Liverpool Defender Billy Koumetio Heads Back to France on Loan

Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio has now headed back to France on loan after a move to the Austrian Bundesliga last term was aborted midway through.

The 19-year-old had joined Austria Wien last June with high hopes, but a series of issues restricted him to just 11 appearances. His deal was then cut short in January, rejoining the Liverpool under-21s for the remainder of the campaign, where he scored a spectacular goal against PSG.

With no longer being in the first-team picture, the decision has been made to loan Koumetio out again, this time to Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque. The historic harbour commune of Dunkirk earned promotion to the French second tier last season after finishing second in the Championnat National.

Koumetio’s Chance to Shine

So far USL Dunkerque have won one, drawn one and lost two in Ligue 2, with manager Mathieu Chabert fielding three centre-backs. This gives Koumetio a strong chance of taking up a regular role, with Hugo Gambor and Opa Sangante the only other natural centre-backs in the squad.

November will bring the defender’s 21st birthday, with this season likely a decisive one when it comes to his future in England. It is now three years since Koumetio made the surprise step up to first-team training with Liverpool in pre-season, leaving players “raving about how good he is” and Jurgen Klopp hailing him as a “big talent.”

That season saw the Frenchman make the matchday squad on six occasions, including a debut against FC Midtjylland in the Champions League. He also made a surprise start in the Carabao Cup victory over Leicester in 2021, only to be brought off at half-time, with there concerns over his speed and sharpness at the back.

Koumetio’s Early Career

Since then, Koumetio has been out of the first-team frame, with Jarell Quansah among those to step up in his absence, debuting in the 2-1 win over Newcastle. Koumetio is left to impress elsewhere, then, with a return to his native France an opportunity to establish himself as a regular starter.

The centre-back originally joined Liverpool from US Orleans in 2018, having come through the academy setup at Vaulx-en-Velin and then Lyon. With his loan move to USL Dunkerque now complete, Koumetio will be hoping to make an impact and prove his worth as he looks to make a name for himself in the world of football.