Virgil van Dijk has admitted his disappointment at Ifeanyi Ndukwe‘s situation after talks with the youngster, but is excited about working with Jeremy Jacquet.
Ndukwe started alongside Van Dijk on the captain’s return to pre-season action on Sunday, but it will be the 18-year-old’s penultimate outing for Liverpool this year.
Not eligible for a UK work permit, the £2.6 million signing from Austria Vienna will instead embark on a loan, with clubs in Germany, Portugal and Denmark already presenting “strong offers.”
His time spent working with Andoni Iraola‘s first team should prove invaluable regardless, and in particular his contact with Van Dijk on and off the pitch.
“Obviously I saw the games in pre-season in America,” Van Dijk told reporters including the Liverpool Echo‘s Paul Gorst.
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe in the line-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEW YORK, USA - Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe in the line-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Wrexham AFC at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“He’s a 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.”
Asked if it was a shame that Ndukwe is unable to stay, Van Dijk agreed, adding: “I don’t know exactly what the rules are but the matter of fact is that he has to go on loan.
“And wherever he goes, he needs to learn, get better and be ready when he comes back to hopefully stay there.”
Jeremy Jacquet back “very, very soon”
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet waves to the supporters before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet waves to the supporters before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool completing the loan signing of Ronald Araujo on Monday and he joins a core group of centre-backs alongside Van Dijk, Jacquet, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez.
Jacquet, another new arrival joining from Rennes, is yet to feature in pre-season as his fitness is managed, but Van Dijk is already awaiting his debut.
“I’ve not seen any of him [playing]. I’ve spoken to him. I’ve seen him walking around and we have conversations,” the Dutchman said.
“I can’t wait to see him back on the pitch and I hope that happens very, very soon.
“I’m not a doctor, so I don’t know exactly the situation, but I have a feeling this week he could be back on the pitch, and hopefully as soon as possible.”
Liverpool take on Italian side Como in their final friendlies of pre-season on Sunday, with a behind-closed-doors clash at the AXA Training Centre at 12pm followed by a high-profile Anfield closer at 6pm.
It could be that Jacquet starts that game alongside Van Dijk, but perhaps more likely is that it will be a farewell, for now, for Ndukwe.
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
England v Uruguay – International Friendly – Wembley Stadium
Uruguay's Ronald Araujo during the international friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Friday March 27, 2026.