Liverpool's Billy Koumetio ends Dunkerque loan spell

Liverpool have announced that defender Billy Koumetio has returned to the club from his loan spell with French outfit Dunkerque.

The 21-year-old made nine appearances for the Ligue 2 side during his time across the English Channel, making eight starts in the second tier of French football either as a centre-back or left-back.

Koumetio made six successive starts for Dunkerque between October 28 and December 5, but he has now returned to Anfield after just one half-season back in his homeland.

The former France Under-20 international returns to the Reds only a day after Calvin Ramsay's loan at Preston North End was terminated, while Owen Beck, Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips have also ended their temporary stays elsewhere this month.

Koumetio joined Liverpool's youth setup in 2019 following a four-year spell with Lyon's academy, and the Frenchman has since made two senior appearances for the Reds under Jurgen Klopp.

Koumetio earned his first-team debut in a 1-1 Champions League draw against FC Midtjylland in December 2020, before playing 45 minutes of an EFL Cup quarter-final win over Leicester City 12 months later.

The defender remains under contract at Anfield until the end of the 2024-25 season and also spent half a year on loan with Austria Vienna in 2022-23.