Liverpool’s impressive young centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe could potentially return to the club as early as January despite currently being unable to obtain a UK work permit.
The 18-year-old has been one of the biggest positives of Liverpool’s pre-season, impressing Andoni Iraola with his composure and maturity despite his age.
However, Ndukwe currently does not have enough points to qualify for a UK work permit, meaning Liverpool cannot use him in competitive first-team football at the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign.
That means a loan move is expected.
But there could be a very interesting twist.
Ndukwe could be back sooner than expected
According to recent reports, Ndukwe could potentially earn the points required to qualify for a work permit by January if he gets regular first-team football while out on loan.
The points are calculated using factors including the number of minutes a player receives and the strength of the domestic league and continental competition in which he plays. The target is reportedly 15 GBE points.
That makes Liverpool’s choice of loan club absolutely crucial.
They don’t simply need to find Ndukwe somewhere to play.
They need to find somewhere he is going to play regularly.
The right loan could change everything
Ndukwe has already demonstrated during pre-season that he has the ability to compete at a high level.
His performance against Monaco was particularly impressive, with the teenager looking extremely composed alongside Virgil van Dijk.
The problem isn’t necessarily his footballing ability.
It’s the paperwork.
A loan to the right club could therefore be the perfect solution.
If Ndukwe plays regularly in a strong European league and potentially gains experience in continental competition, he could accumulate the points required to become eligible to play for Liverpool.
Suddenly, what initially looked like a season-long absence could become a temporary setback.
Liverpool will have to choose carefully
This is where Liverpool’s recruitment and loan departments have an important decision to make.
Sending Ndukwe somewhere simply because the club offers him a loan isn’t enough.
He needs minutes.
Lots of them.
Ideally, he needs to be playing senior football every week against experienced forwards and defenders.
That would accelerate his development while simultaneously giving him a chance of earning the points needed for his return to Anfield.
A move to a stronger league where he is guaranteed regular football could therefore be more valuable than joining a bigger club and spending most of the season on the bench.
Could he solve Liverpool’s defensive problem?
This is perhaps the most exciting part.
Liverpool have already had concerns over defensive depth, and Ndukwe looked like he could have been a very useful option for Iraola.
At 18, he obviously shouldn’t be expected to carry Liverpool’s defence.
But his performances have suggested that he could be ready to contribute sooner than many supporters expected.
If he can go out on loan, play regularly and return in January with the necessary work permit points, Liverpool could suddenly have another exciting option for the second half of the season.
Imagine Ndukwe returning to Anfield with six months of senior football behind him.
He wouldn’t be the same inexperienced youngster who left.
He would have gained valuable experience and potentially developed into a genuine first-team option.
A frustrating situation that could become a positive
There is understandably frustration that Ndukwe cannot simply stay at Liverpool and play.
He has done everything possible on the pitch to make people sit up and take notice.
But the work permit rules mean Liverpool have to find another route.
And perhaps that route could actually benefit him.
Instead of spending the season making occasional appearances, Ndukwe could play every week and gain the kind of experience that is almost impossible to replicate in training.
Then, if everything goes according to plan, Liverpool could potentially bring him back in January.
Keep an eye on this one
Ndukwe’s situation is certainly one Liverpool supporters should watch closely.
The immediate plan appears to be a loan.
But the longer-term objective could be much more exciting.
Get Ndukwe regular first-team football.
Earn the required GBE points.
Qualify for a UK work permit.
Bring him back to Liverpool.
If he can achieve the required 15 points by January, Liverpool could have an unexpected mid-season boost waiting for them.
And after the way Ndukwe has performed during pre-season, I don’t think supporters will be complaining about seeing him back at Anfield sooner rather than later.
The work permit setback may have delayed Ndukwe’s Liverpool career — but it might not have stopped it for very long.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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