Liverpool could receive a major boost to the team in January, with a potential return that could solve several transfer concerns for the side.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola celebrates their penalty during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United
Liverpool could be boosted by a return to the team in January(Image: (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))
While the summer transfer window is now closed for another year, the winter market could provide a few boosts for Liverpool when it rolls around once again.
There is an opportunity for the Reds to go and sign some players in key positions, should the targets become available, with several options that could be considered.
Right-back remains a position that is under scrutiny, following difficulties for both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, while the midfield has been touted as another area for improvement. Then there's the right wing, a place that Liverpool did try to strengthen over the summer transfer window, but there were significant road blocks stopping the Reds from landing several different targets.
All three of those areas could be strengthened, but so too could the defense, even with the arrivals of Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo this summer.
That's because Ifeanyi Ndukwe could make his return to the club in January, when Liverpool assesses his situation with his loan move at La Liga side Levante.
The center-back impressed during preseason in his first taste of senior minutes following his move from Austria, but it was always going to be a fleeting moment because of the issues surrounding his work permit.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe stands on the pitch
Ifeanyi Ndukwe could make his Liverpool return in January(Image: Getty Images)
The youngster didn't qualify for a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), which would allow him to play this season, as he hadn't hit the point requirement needed to land a work permit.
He could have qualified with an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) slot in the Liverpool ranks, but the one place that Liverpool had was used for Mor Talla Ndiaye.
That meant he had to go out on loan to land enough points for the visa, resulting in his move to Levante, but fortunately it may not take long for him to make his way back to Anfield.
The Athletic claims that Ndukwe will only need to play one more league match for Levante to land enough points to qualify for the GBE, which would allow him to be registered with the team moving forward.
It's added that his future will be assessed after that point, which could allow for a return to Merseyside and an opportunity for him to shine in the senior team.
Considering the questions over squad depth available to Iraola, that would be quite a boost for the head coach for the second half of the season, if he does make his way back.
However, there is also a long-term decision to be made, and if Ndukwe is landing valuable minutes in La Liga, then it could be more beneficial to keep him there.