Liverpool youngster Billy Koumetio put his loan woes behind him to score a stunning goal from his own half on his return to action.
The 20-year-old centre-back featured in the club's under-21 Premier League International Cup fixture against Paris Saint-Germain at their Kirkby Academy on Wednesday, which the Reds won 4-2. Koumetio got the ball rolling with the first of his two goals on the night, an outstanding effort from behind the halfway line.
PSG's keeper Lucas Lavallee had ventured far enough off his line for Koumetio to fancy his chances, as he looked up while Liverpool were keeping possession and picked his spot. His long-range lob sailed over the backpedalling PSG stopper and nestled into the net, drawing wild celebrations from the crowd as he was mobbed by teammates.
Liverpool soon doubled their advantage when PSG's keeper had another moment to forget, bringing down Mateusz Musialowski in the box to allow Luke Chambers the chance to convert from the penalty spot. Koumetio then headed home to grab his second of the night to put Liverpool well in command at half-time.
He almost had a third shortly after the break, but it was teammate Oludare Olufunwa who put the Reds four in front and cruising to victory. PSG did mount a comeback to reduce the deficit and slightly take the shine off Liverpool's performance, but nothing was overshadowing Koumetio's wonderstrike.
It will be a huge boost for the promising defender, who has not endured the best of times out on loan at Austria Wien. The deal was made between the clubs in the summer, with the initial agreement Koumetio would stay for the season.
However, the deal was cut short after Koumetio made just eight appearances in all competitions, just five of which were as a starter. That will no doubt have raised some concerns with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who previously hailed Koumetio as a "big talent" after handing him his senior debut in a Champions League tie vs FC Midtjylland back in 2020.
"Billy the kid. He doesn't look like a kid! 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," Klopp said at the time. "Yes, he's a big talent."
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Koumetio has been working closely with Liverpool's first-team set-up in the years since and did make his second appearance in the Carabao Cup tie against Leicester last season. It's unclear whether Liverpool plan to loan him back out again this month or keep him at close quarters.
While the loan move didn't quite work out, Wien's Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner insisted they did not want to see Koumetio leave. He claimed the club complied with Liverpool's request, and believes the youngster is still an "incredibly exciting player".
"He can have a really exciting career," Ortlechner added. "But Liverpool want to bring him back now, they have the right."
