Liverpool's Under-21s secured a convincing 4-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday night.
Two goals from Billy Koumetio either side of a Luke Chambers penalty gave the hosts a commanding lead at the break before Oludare Olufunwa made it 4-0 when he pounced at a corner early in the second half.
PSG added a couple of consolations late on but it was a game Barry Lewtas's side were fully deserving of the victory.
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"I thought we were excellent," said Lewtas. "Obviously, the most pleasing bit was we had a lot of players playing out of position. We had two centre-backs at full-back and you hope they can play in the same way, the same structure and the same idea and I thought we were brilliant at it."
The ECHO was at the Kirkby Academy to provide analysis of an impressive display for the U21s.
Koumetio's memorable return
Perhaps not even in his wildest of dreams will Billy Koumetio have imagined a Liverpool return like this.
Back on Merseyside after his loan spell at Austria Vienna was cut short midway through the campaign, Koumetio was installed at centre-half alongside Jarell Quansah in what was a deserved victory against PSG.
The concession of two late consolations will rankle slightly for Koumetio and Co, but nothing will dim the shine on what could very well be Liverpool's in-house Goal of the Season winner. It there is one that beats Koumetio's effort, it will be a special strike, that's for sure.
Koumetio was in his own half when he spotted PSG goalkeeper Lucas Lavellee slightly off his line down the other end of the pitch. With one big swing of that trusty left boot, the Paris keeper was beaten all ends up.
It was a truly stunning effort that will take some topping when the best goal of the campaign is eventually decided later this year. The big question is: Did he mean it?
"He actually did say he meant it!" beamed manager Lewtas after the game. "And to be fair, the way he shaped up, he meant it! I am not going to argue with him and he could have had a hat-trick as well!"
After Chambers had doubled the Reds' advantage from the penalty spot, Koumetio made it 3-0 with a close-range header to confirm a brace on his return to the Liverpool ranks.
It was his work at the other end that was more impressive, however. The 20-year-old looked like he'd never been away. He was assured in possession and was not shy in switching the play regularly with those long, raking diagonal passes.
One calm bit of play in the second half, in particular, saw him race back to deny a through ball before he held off another attacker to keep possession of the ball.
"He's a real threat to be fair at set-pieces and that's obviously to do with his size but he uses that size well and he's got a lovely left foot," added Lewtas. "His ability to pass long distances is good as well.
"There was no real [negative] reason around the decision to bring him back. He had a successful loan out there in terms of the exposure he got and obviously there might be opportunities elsewhere for others in the squad to go on loan. The loans are quite fluid really.
"So this is an opportunity for him to reconnect with the club and he's getting the chance now to mix back in with us, play in a back four and get used to us again. So we'll see where January takes us. In terms of today, I thought he looked very good physically."
Quansah on the move?
But while Liverpool are welcoming the return of one centre-back, they could very well be waving goodbye to another, if only temporarily, in Quansah.
It's understood the club are exploring the possibility of sending the England youth international out on loan this month as they look for him to continue what has been an excellent season in the youth ranks at a more senior level.
It was telling that a host of scouts who had packed into the stand at the Kirkby Academy decided they had seen enough when Quansah was replaced by Lucas Pitt in the second period. The on-looking Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe would have been suitably impressed. So too, Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton, who caught the first 45 minutes.
"Listen, I imagine with the group that we have and the way we are playing, particularly with the way some of the boys are playing, I think if you are a manager and you were looking to loan players, this would be a good place to come and watch," said Lewtas.
"Whether it is for this window or further down the line, maybe that's what it was [for the managers in attendance]. Or maybe they just wanted to get out of the house! I wouldn't blame anyone wanting to come and see the lads tonight."
Quansah has been outstanding at the back at times for the young Reds this term, notably during the successful group stage campaign of the UEFA Youth League, and he was once more excellent against opposition from the continent here.
One surging run evoked comparisons with Joel Matip in the first half and the resulting pass allowed Jake Cain to go clean through before he was denied. Quansah was also alert a handful of times in the second half to thwart PSG attacks as he breezed through the game alongside Koumetio at the back before he was substituted.
"Jarell can only perform well and do what he is doing and that is the way it works [with other clubs' interest]," added Lewtas. "He's working ever so hard and his progress over the last 12 months has been brilliant. He has worked so hard on his game, especially out of possession and being more of a leader. I thought he was outstanding today."
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