Liverpool center-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe can only play two more games in 2026 for a frustrating reason, with the 18-year-old having impressed Andoni Iraola during preseason
Lewis Koumas and Ifeanyi Ndukwe during a Liverpool training session
Lewis Koumas and Ifeanyi Ndukwe during a Liverpool training session(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ifeanyi Ndukwe has been one of the breakout stars of the first Liverpool preseason under Andoni Iraola, but he will not be permitted to play once the new campaign properly gets underway.
That is because Ndukwe lacks the required 'points' to earn a work permit as things stand. He will head out on loan instead, with several clubs around Europe, including in Germany, thought to be interested in signing him.
Ndukwe, 18, arrived from Austria Vienna this summer for a fee of around $3.5 million (£2.6 million). Joining up with the senior team ahead of the summer, he has made an instant impact.
"Obviously I saw the games in preseason in America," Reds captain Virgil van Dijk told reporters at Anfield when asked about Ndukwe, who played alongside him for 45 minutes against Monaco.
"Big talent, big guy and he wants to learn and I had a brief conversation with him, especially in the last couple of days. For him, it is just progressing. I know he has to go on loan I think so let’s see where he ends up."
Next weekend, Liverpool has a double-header with Como at Anfield. Technically, he can feature in both games, though he will obviously only play in one.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe has impressed during preseason for Liverpool
Ifeanyi Ndukwe has impressed during preseason for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
After that, he will need to move elsewhere to play during the season itself, though there is a scenario where he can return in January and have built up enough experience to qualify for a work permit at that point.
In simple terms, players have to earn 'points' to prove themselves. They can do so by playing regularly and winning games and trophies elsewhere in the top European leagues.
It is possible that with the right move, Ndukwe could earn enough points to get his work permit mid-season, but that would be a substantial drawback for any club interested in signing him.
It is more likely that a team would agree to a season-long deal that it knew would not be disrupted. In that scenario, Ndukwe would then return to Liverpool next summer and be eligible to play in 2027/28 and beyond.
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In addition to Ndukwe, Liverpool has already signed the likes of Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni as hugely talented young defenders for the future.
However, neither has run into such issues because they have played for Rennes and Parma, respectively, already and have therefore already proven themselves.
With a shortage of defensive options heading into the new season, Liverpool has moved to bring in Barcelona star Ronald Araujo on loan. The Uruguayan can also fill in at right-back.