Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe has now qualified for a UK work permit thanks to his current loan stint at Levante. The 18-year-old officially signed for the Reds this past summer and played extensively during pre-season, but was prevented from appearing for the club in competitive fixtures because he couldn't secure a UK work permit.
Ndukwe's Loan Progress
The Reds retain the option to bring back the Austrian in January, though the ECHO understands he is anticipated to stay with the La Liga outfit for the remainder of the campaign. Iraola is hardly lacking choices at centre-back, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Joe Gomez all available. Italian talent Giovanni Leoni is also approaching full fitness following the ACL injury he sustained last season.
Ndukwe experienced a sluggish beginning to his time in Spain, but has now featured in consecutive starting line-ups for Levante and netted a dramatic late equaliser on his first start against Sevilla in a 3-3 draw. He backed that up with another full 90 minutes in a 1-1 deadlock against Deportivo last Friday.
Ngumoha Addresses Transfer Speculation
Rio Ngumoha's progression at Liverpool in recent seasons hasn't escaped attention elsewhere. The England starlet, 18, is now a regular fixture in Iraola's first team following his breakthrough campaign last term under Arne Slot.
The teenager's sheer ability and promise attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Arsenal, according to The Athletic. Liverpool have no intention of parting company with the gifted forward, who addressed this past summer's speculation when questioned about his future after Saturday's win.
Ngumoha said: "To be fair, that is all with my agent now. I think it is all going well. I am not too sure. I just let my football do the talking at the end of the day. I enjoy playing, and all of that stuff is in the back of my mind really. I just play for the club, and hopefully I can carry on doing well."
