LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ifeanyi Ndukwe is now expected to qualify for a work permit after making his debut for Levante, though he is unlikely to return to Liverpool in January.
Ndukwe came off the bench in the second half of Levante’s 4-2 loss to Barcelona on Sunday after spending his first three games as an unused substitute.
It came in difficult circumstances as the 18-year-old was caught out by Karim Adeyemi for Barcelona’s fourth goal, but it marked a major milestone nonetheless.
Per the Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle, Ndukwe’s first appearance for Levante means he is now eligible for a UK work permit.
Ndukwe is understood to have reached the threshold for a Governing Body Endorsement having now played for a Band 1 club.
Liverpool would, however, have been able to register Ndukwe using an exemption slot from February onwards regardless – but that will now no longer be required for their Austrian centre-back.
Will Liverpool recall Ifeanyi Ndukwe in January?
3FGMM40 Ifeanyi Ndukwe (Levante UD) during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on September 13, 2026 in Valencia, Spain.
3FGMM40 Ifeanyi Ndukwe (Levante UD) during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia on September 13, 2026 in Valencia, Spain.
There is an option to recall the £2.6 million signing in January, but there is no desire to do so if Ndukwe is not required at first-team level.
Instead, the preference will be for him to spend the campaign out on loan, though it is possible that a new arrangement is pursued if he remains out of Levante’s starting XI.
Levante head coach Luis Castro has understandably preferred Adrian De La Fuente and Aissa Mandi as his first-choice centre-backs so far, though after the loss to Barcelona he described Ndukwe as a player who “will help us in the future.”
If Ndukwe were to obtain a UK work permit he could in theory join a Championship club, or even one in the Premier League, for the second half of the season.
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Much will depend on the game time offered, but there is an argument that a spell elsewhere in England would accelerate his adjustment after arriving from Austria in July.
Liverpool could face a similar issue when it comes to a work permit for Colombian attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez, who joins from Atletico Nacional next summer.
But the situation is changeable and a variety of factors will be considered, particularly the number of Elite Significant Contribution exemption slots available.
Levante are next in action on Wednesday night when they host Athletic Club in LaLiga, which could provide Ndukwe with another chance to take to the field for his loan club.
Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
2026-08-02-196-Liverpool_Leeds
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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