Liverpool will hold a conversation about Ifeanyi Ndukwe this weekend, and the outcome could decide whether the teenage defender returns to Anfield in January.
According to Sky Sport Austria, representatives of Ndukwe will meet Liverpool officials to discuss his next career steps. The key question is simple: does he return to Merseyside in the winter window, or stay in Spain and finish his development on loan?
A fast start at Levante
18-year-old Ndukwe joined Levante on a season-long loan in the summer, and he has taken to La Liga quickly. Sky report that he has already become a regular and is proving a steadying presence in defence, with five appearances and one goal so far.
That goal was a memorable one. Ndukwe made his first start for Levante against Sevilla earlier this month and popped up with a 100th-minute equaliser to rescue a point in a six-goal thriller.
The work permit problem is solved
The reason Ndukwe went out on loan in the first place was for a work permit, with Liverpool unable to play him in competitive matches this season because he had not yet gathered enough points to qualify.
That has now changed. Sky report that he collected the points he needed after his debut for Levante in September, when he came off the bench against Barcelona, so the main obstacle to him playing for Liverpool has gone.
What would a January return depend on?
There is still a big difference between being eligible and being in the plans. Sky make the point that an early recall would also depend on Ndukwe getting the right amount of playing time at Liverpool.
That is the sticking point. Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet have settled in as the first-choice partnership, and there is no obvious need to rush a teenager into the senior side. At the same time, Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from his ACL injury and is not expected back before the end of the year, so there’s not a lot of depth at centre-back at the moment, with Joe Gomez being Andoni Iraola’s only experienced back-up.
It is also worth remembering that the loan was reported to include a January break clause. This weekend’s meeting looks like the first real step in that decision.
Our view
For a player of Ndukwe’s age, there is a strong argument for patience. Regular senior football in La Liga is exactly what he needs, and he is getting it. Pulling him back to sit on the bench or play the odd cup game would not help his development.
But if Liverpool can see a clear route to first team selection, or if injuries leave them short in January, the door is clearly open. At 6’5” and already comfortable on the ball, he looks a serious prospect, and his early form for Levante will not have gone unnoticed back in Liverpool.
We should know more once the meeting has taken place. We will update this story as soon as there is any further developments.
What do you think? Should Liverpool bring Ndukwe back in January or let him finish the season at Levante? Let us know in the comments.
