Liverpool fans who watched Ifeanyi Ndukwe during pre-season will understand why there is so much interest in the young defender.
He is only 18, stands around 6ft 6in tall and looked a serious prospect during his first appearances under Andoni Iraola.
There was just one problem.
Liverpool couldn’t use him in competitive matches because he didn’t have the required UK work permit.
Now, that situation has changed.
According to Paul Gorst, Ndukwe has accumulated the necessary points while on loan at Levante and is now eligible for a UK work permit.
That is a significant step forward for Liverpool and the young centre-back. However, there is a catch: the current plan is to keep him in Spain and allow him to continue his development in La Liga.
And honestly, I think that could be the right decision.
Ndukwe has overcome an important hurdle
Liverpool signed Ndukwe from Austria Vienna in the summer, completing a deal reported to be worth around £2.6 million.
The Austrian teenager impressed during pre-season, getting opportunities alongside senior defenders and showing why Liverpool were keen to bring him to Anfield.
But post-Brexit work-permit rules meant he could not simply join Iraola’s competitive first-team plans.
Liverpool therefore arranged a season-long loan to Levante, with the intention of giving him the opportunity to earn the points needed to become eligible to play in England.
That plan has now paid off.
Ndukwe made his La Liga debut against Barcelona in September, coming off the bench in Levante’s 4-2 defeat. His appearance was a major milestone because playing in Spain’s top division helped him reach the required threshold.
It means one major obstacle has been removed.
Liverpool no longer need to worry about the same work-permit problem if they decide to bring him back to England.
But I wouldn’t rush him back
The temptation will be to ask whether Liverpool should recall Ndukwe in January.
After all, he looked promising during pre-season, and supporters are always keen to see the club’s young players get opportunities.
But I don’t think getting a work permit automatically means he should return to Anfield.
The priority now should be regular football.
Ndukwe is still learning his trade. He has only just started experiencing senior football consistently, and playing in La Liga gives him the chance to develop against a different range of opponents and attacking styles.
Liverpool need to think about what will benefit him over the next six months, rather than simply bringing him back because they finally can.
If he is playing regularly at Levante, improving and becoming more comfortable at senior level, there is a strong argument for leaving him where he is.
The worst outcome would be recalling him in January only for him to spend the second half of the season watching from the bench.
Liverpool have a long-term plan at centre-back
There is another reason why patience makes sense.
Liverpool already have several options to consider at centre-back, with Virgil van Dijk, Jérémy Jacquet, Ronald Araújo, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez all part of the wider picture.
The situation could change, particularly with contracts and loan arrangements to consider, but Ndukwe doesn’t necessarily need to be thrown into the first-team squad immediately.
For me, his development should be judged on whether he is becoming a better defender.
Can he improve his positioning? Can he become more consistent in his decision-making? Can he learn to deal with experienced forwards and the pressure of playing at the highest level?
Those are the things that matter.
His height and physical presence are obvious assets, but Liverpool will want him to develop the rest of his game before expecting him to compete for a regular place.
A successful loan could make a much bigger difference than a few substitute appearances at Anfield.
The January decision will depend on game time
There is still a reason to keep an eye on the situation.
Liverpool reportedly have the option to bring Ndukwe back in January, so the door is not necessarily closed.
However, reports indicate the preference is for him to remain at Levante for the season, provided the arrangement continues to serve his development.
That makes sense to me.
If Ndukwe starts getting regular minutes in Spain, I would leave him there.
If he struggles to get opportunities, Liverpool may have to reconsider whether another loan arrangement would be better.
The important thing is that he plays.
At 18, he needs experience far more than he needs to be part of the Liverpool first-team squad in name only.
This is still encouraging news
I don’t want supporters to lose sight of what this development means.
Liverpool have signed a highly rated young defender, given him a chance to impress during pre-season and found a solution when work-permit rules prevented him from playing competitive football in England.
Now he has reached the necessary points threshold.
That is progress.
And while we might have to wait a little longer before seeing him in a Liverpool shirt again, there is no need to view that as a setback.
Ndukwe is still a Liverpool player, and the club can continue planning for his future without rushing the process.
I would love to see him eventually competing for a place at Anfield. His physical attributes make him an exciting prospect, and his pre-season performances gave us a glimpse of what he might become.
But potential alone doesn’t guarantee success.
He needs minutes, experience and time to develop.
If Levante can provide those things, Liverpool should allow him to make the most of the opportunity.
The work-permit problem has been solved. Now comes the more important part: turning that promising young defender into a player who can genuinely challenge for a place in Liverpool’s defence.
And if staying in Spain gives him the best chance of doing that, I’m happy to be patient.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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