Ifeanyi Ndukwe has impressed for Liverpool in preseason, but Andoni Iraola will be unable to call on the teenager, who is expected to complete a loan move shortly
Ifeanyi Ndukwe will not be able to play for Liverpool's first team this season
Ifeanyi Ndukwe will not be able to play for Liverpool's first team this season(Image: Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool endured another disappointing preseason defeat against Monaco on Sunday, but one positive was the latest impressive outing from teenage defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
The 18-year-old joined the Reds this summer from Austria Vienna, with the deal initially agreed back in January for a nominal £2.6 million ($3.5 million). He joined up with the senior side for preseason and has arguably been one of the standout performers ever since.
Due to Liverpool's injury concerns at center back, Ndukwe has played every game so far, and his composure for such a young player has been nothing short of impressive. He looked right at home alongside Virgil van Dijk in the first half against Monaco, earning plenty of deserved plaudits once again.
Unfortunately for new head coach Andoni Iraola, however, he won't be able to count on the youngster when the season officially kicks off later this month.
That is because he does not have the necessary points to obtain a work permit in the United Kingdom and will therefore be ineligible to play.
Instead, he will have to join a number of other young prospects expected to head out on loan. So far, there have been few to no rumors over where he might go, but a deal will need to be struck before the transfer window closes.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe has impressed during preseason for Liverpool
Ifeanyi Ndukwe has impressed during preseason for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
It's a bitter blow for Iraola, who has had to navigate a lack of options throughout the U.S. tour.
Joe Gomez was forced off with an injury minutes into the first game against Sunderland last month, while fellow new arrival Jeremy Jacquet is yet to feature and promising talent Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained last season.
Van Dijk is back available after his extended break and played 60 minutes of the defeat against Monaco. However, it is currently unclear who will partner the captain in Liverpool's opening Premier League game against Newcastle later this month.
It emerged this week that the Reds are closing in on a loan deal to sign Barcelona center-back Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan is expected to join for the upcoming campaign with an option to buy next summer.
However, given Araujo's previous injury problems with Barcelona, it is hoped he can stay fit, given he will likely provide cover at both center-back and right-back.
Jeremie Frimpong is currently Liverpool's only fit senior right-back, as Conor Bradley is yet to recover from the injury he sustained against Arsenal back in January and is likely to remain sidelined until October or November.
Liverpool is now two weeks away from its Premier League opener and will need to show improvement in its defensive performances. Against Monaco, goals from Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz fired the Reds in front in the first half, but a penalty conceded by Van Dijk gifted the visitors a way back into the game before the break.
Iraola's side then conceded two more goals in the second half to make it a second consecutive preseason loss. The Reds have just two friendlies remaining in the form of a doubleheader against Como next week, one of which will be played behind closed doors.