Jarell Quansah and Bobby Clark react as ‘very special’ Liverpool player leaves Anfield after six years

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Liverpool are starting to crystalise who will be in their first-team squad next season.

Following Arne Slot’s arrival at the club, quite a number of players have had their futures up in the air.

Slot had called something of a cease-fire on Liverpool doing business throughout June and July as he attempted to properly assess his team.

However, with pre-season now almost over, decisions appear to have been made on which players are needed and which can look to move on.

One more was confirmed to be on the way out on Saturday, as Lewis Koumas joined Stoke City on-loan. Prior to that, though, one of Koumas’ teammates from the Liverpool academy left on a permanent basis.

Liverpool players react to Billy Koumetio exit

Even before the exit doors began to spin at the AXA Training Centre, it already looked likely that some Liverpool players had no future under Slot.

The new head coach left both Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio back from the tour of the USA.

In fairness, there wouldn’t have been any Liverpool supporters complaining about Slot’s decision. Neither Williams nor Koumetio have done enough to be considered.

While Williams looks likely to be sold between now and August the 30th, Koumetio has secured his move already.

READ MORE: Liverpool could recall ‘incredible’ youngster if he does well on-loan

The 21-year-old joined Scottish side Dundee on Friday, bringing an end to six years with Liverpool. As he prepares to leave the Reds and travel North, Koumetio took to Instagram to say his farewells.

“Thank you to LIVERPOOL FC for those 5-6 years spent at the club,” writes the Frenchman. “Thank you for everything, enjoyed every moment spent with you (players, coachs, staff …) Wish you all the best for the Future. Love You.”

With Koumetio having spent so long at the club, he has clearly made some strong friendships. Jarell Quansah partnered the big man in central defence plenty of times for the academy and replied with ‘Pleasure sir.’

‘Good luck bro,’ said Bobby Clark, a message which was echoed by Kaide Gordon. ‘Been a pleasure brother,’ wrote Harvey Blair, while Owen Beck went with ‘All the best bro.’

Billy Koumetio fails to reach his potential

Next season will be a really important one for Koumetio. The former Lyon prospect will turn 22 in November. It’s high time he kicked on.

For a time, it had looked as though Koumetio could be a future star for Liverpool. He certainly had attributes that pointed to that fact.

But the former France U18 international simply could not break through into the first-team.

Jurgen Klopp gave him chances, to be fair. The German picked Koumetio for a debut at 18 and gave him his first start a year later. But the centre-back never looked fully ready to take things further.

Klopp described Koumetio as being ‘very special‘ four years ago but it’s fair to say that he failed to reach his potential at Anfield. Hopefully he can get back on track with Dundee.