Liverpool are Premier League champions and their first team is the envy of managers up and down the country, but is Billy Koumetio soon to join the first XI ranks?
But their next batch of young prospects is just as exciting, with Jurgen Klopp clearly already planning for the future.
We got a glimpse of some of Liverpool’s starlets last season, and Klopp has created a pathway to the first team.
Billy Koumetio is another who will hope to take advantage this season. But what do we know about him?
He’s impressed Klopp during pre-season
As per Liverpool’s official website, Klopp has liked what he’s seen from the 17-year-old defender during pre-season.
“Billy the Kid – he doesn’t look like a kid! His face looks like a kid but then all the rest is ‘wow!’”
The Frenchman made a mistake in Liverpool’s 7-2 win over Blackpool at the weekend, but the Liverpool Echo quoted Klopp praising his performance.
Billy Koumetio has played for France Under 18s
Koumetio’s potential is so great that Liverpool signed him back in 2016, when he was just 16.
He has represented his native France at Under 18 level. The future looks bright for the world champions.
He’s already been on the bench
Despite his tender years, Koumetio has already been on the bench for the senior side.
That happened for Liverpool’s EFL Cup penalty shootout victory over Arsenal back in October.
The game itself was a 5-5 classic.
When will Billy Koumetio get his opening?
Having sold Dejan Lovren to Zenit this summer, Klopp’s options are slightly limited at centre half.
That opens the prospect that injuries or a greater desire to rotate could hand Koumetio his chance at some stage in 2020/21.
The German manager has tried to open up that pathway to the first team and looks set to do the same in the coming campaign.