How many games Ifeanyi Ndukwe must play for Levante to secure Liverpool work permit as Reds eye recall
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool fans have plenty to be excited about in 2027, despite some worries that their team looks undercooked for the first half of the campaign.The Reds have been working hard behind the scenes to add some talented young players to the ranks, with Friday bringing confirmation that Djylian N’Guessan will join Samuel Martinez and Lucca Brughmans in joining Liverpool next summer.N’Guessan, Martinez and Brughmans are the latest in an growing line of top youngsters to be sniffed out and plucked by Liverpool, with centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe also falling into that bracket. What changes would you make if not? 👀 Liverpool potential XI Ndukwe was a revelation during pre-season, looking absolutely ready for a role with the first-team despite being only 18.
However, the Austrian was turned down for a UK work permit, with Liverpool having to send him out on loan in order to gain the necessary points to play in England.Ndukwe joined La Liga side Levante, where Liverpool will hope he gains what he needs to come back and be part of Andoni Iraola’s squad. And according to a claim from The Athletic, that should not be too hard at all.Ndukwe needs to play just once for LevanteBecause of the way that the work permit points system works, Ndukwe reportedly needs to play only once in La Liga for Levante to be granted the chance to play in England.Liverpool have, of course, recently been stung by a loan team needing to give one of their players a certain amount of matches to trigger a new situation when Aston Villa refused to give Harvey Elliott the 10 appearances he needed to make his move permanent last year.READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Ipswich as Bradley Barcola prepares for Reds debutPhoto by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty ImagesNevertheless, history should not repeat itself with Ndukwe already being involved in the matchday squad for Levante.Though he is yet to play a minute, the teenager has appeared on the bench for both of his new team’s league fixtures this season – a 0-0 draw against Osasuna and a 5-2 win over Real Betis.It might concern Liverpool slightly that he is not first-choice, but Ndukwe will surely still be given the time he needs.
It may even be woven into his contract.If Levante do uphold their end of the bargain, as is expected, then Liverpool will reportedly assess his situation in January.It is claimed that the Reds could either leave Ndukwe in Valencia for the rest of the season, or bring him back during the winter window. Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox