Liverpool are set to recall Billy Koumetio from his season-long loan with Austria Vienna, according to the Austrian side’s sporting director.
The defender has made 11 appearances for the Viennese club since joining them on a temporary basis in the summer, and has started seven times across all competitions. However, a late substitute appearance in a 4-0 Europa Conference League loss away at Hapoel Be'er Sheva on November 3 is one of just two outings, the other an OFB-Cup exit to Wiener SC, since the start of September.
In the weeks before the World Cup, the Frenchman found himself representing Vienna’s Young Violets rather than the first as he continued to be left out of former manager Manfred Schmid’s matchday squad. An ankle injury ultimately curtailed his progress with the club, while domestic homegrown rules have also limiting his opportunities with Austrian clubs entitled to bonus payments from the Austrian Football Association (OFB) if they don't name more than six foreign players in their matchday squads.
