Liverpool's breakout teen defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is expected to depart on loan after Sunday's Como friendly due to UK work permit restrictions
Ifeanyi Ndukwe of Liverpool looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco
Ifeanyi Ndukwe will need a loan to earn a work permit at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images))
Liverpool's breakout teenage defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is expected to depart the club on loan following Sunday's preseason friendly against Como, with a decision on his next destination expected within the coming weeks.
The 18-year-old Austrian centre-back has emerged as one of the standout stories of Liverpool's preseason under new manager Andoni Iraola, drawing praise for his composure and physicality despite being thrust into first-team minutes largely due to circumstance.
Joe Gomez suffered an injury in Liverpool's opening preseason match, $74 million signing Jeremy Jacquet has been sidelined with a knee issue, and Giovanni Leoni remains out recovering from a serious knee injury, opening the door for Ndukwe to log significant playing time, including a start alongside captain Virgil van Dijk against Monaco at Anfield.
The 6-foot-6 defender impressed in that match with a neat backheel that wrong-footed Monaco's Mika Biereth and a series of strong defensive duels.
Van Dijk offered high praise afterward. "Obviously, I saw the games in pre-season in America," Van Dijk said. "Big talent, big guy, and he wants to learn. I had a brief conversation with him, especially in the last couple of days. For him, it is just progressing.”
Despite his form, Ndukwe cannot remain with Liverpool's senior squad this season under the current U.K. work permit rules.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: Ifeanyi Ndukwe of Liverpool during the during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco at Anfield on August 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Ndukwe is expected to head out on loan following Liverpool's final pre-season games(Image: Getty Images)
As a non-England-qualified player without sufficient points for a standard Governing Body Endorsement, his only route into the squad would be through one of Liverpool's Elite Significant Contribution slots, but the club's sole available slot has already been allocated to Senegalese teenager Mor Talla Ndiaye.
As a result, Ndukwe is limited to appearing only in friendly matches, including Sunday's clash with Como, Liverpool's final preseason fixture.
According to his agent, Georg Lederer, several clubs across Europe are already in discussions over a potential loan deal. "I can't say which clubs we are in dialogue with, but I can confirm that we are in dialogue with Danish clubs about Ifeanyi Ndukwe," Lederer told Tipsbladet.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 02: Ifeanyi Ndukwe #83 of Liverpool FC looks on against Leeds United during a pre-season friendly at Soldier Field on August 02, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)
Ndukwe has impressed during pre-season for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
"We are also talking to several foreign clubs, but right now we have to decide in collaboration with Liverpool where Ifeanyi will fit best. We are looking at several different parameters,” he said.
He continued: “First and foremost, it is about Ifeanyi getting a lot of playing time, and then Liverpool is also looking at what type of football clubs play, as they want him to play in a high-pressing defence, so it is a bit like what you see in Liverpool."
Reports indicate Ndukwe is weighing offers from clubs in Portugal, Germany, and Denmark, with additional interest from clubs in Belgium, France, and Spain, along with offers from his native Austria that he appears less inclined to pursue.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Ndukwe is expected to depart on loan "from next week," with offers already in hand from Portuguese clubs.