Meet Liverpool's rising star who can only play friendlies
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from BBC or go back to LFC Live.
Meet Liverpool's rising star who can only play friendliesImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Liverpool agreed a deal in principle to sign Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna in JanuaryByCharlotte CoatesBBC Sport journalist and Aadam PatelFootball reporterLiverpool's first pre-season under new boss Andoni Iraola has not been without its challenges - but one reason for optimism is the emergence of 18-year-old defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe.The Reds have won two and lost two of their four friendlies so far - beating Sunderland and Wrexham, but throwing away two-goal leads in defeats by Leeds and Monaco. Iraola's side are short of numbers in central defence, so Austrian teenager Ndukwe has been handed more minutes than even he might have expected.Joe Gomez picked up an injury in Liverpool's first pre-season game, while £60m signing Jeremy Jacquet has been absent with a niggling knee issue and Giovanni Leoni is recovering from a serious knee injury - and Ndukwe has grasped his chance to impress.With two lots of 90 minutes and an 80-minute display already under his belt, Ndukwe was handed a start alongside captain Virgil van Dijk against Monaco at Anfield on Sunday.
Dropping below that begins to reduce the number of ESC slots available.Liverpool's percentage last season means they only get one ESC place, which has already been taken by Senegalese 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye.Last season, Freddie Woodman, Gomez, Rhys Williams, Curtis Jones, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha were the only English players in Liverpool's squad, playing a collective 83 times in the Premier League.This comes after Liverpool lost the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton and loaned out Harvey Elliott.From Vienna to MerseysideImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ndukwe impressed playing for Austria at the Under-17 World Cup in QatarDeveloped in the Austria Vienna academy before establishing himself in the club's reserve side, Ndukwe was included in the senior squad on several occasions - making one appearance. The Reds agreed a deal in principle in January, but the £2.6m transfer became official this summer, once Ndukwe turned 18.After excelling in pre-season and leaving fans desperate to see more of the teenager, Ndukwe will still be able to play against Como in Liverpool's final friendly on 16 August.
Van Dijk labelled Ndukwe a "big talent" after playing alongside him in the first half against Monaco."Obviously, I saw the games in pre-season in America," Van Dijk added."Big talent, big guy and he wants to learn. Several top international clubs have already expressed concrete interest."Lederer told BBC Sport on Monday that that they are still in the process of deciding where Ndukwe goes in Europe.But where will he end up?Ndukwe must accumulate 15 points across a number of categories while out on loan to qualify automatically for a visa.Simply put, the better the league Ndukwe plays in, the more points towards a work permit he will earn.