Liverpool must loan 18-year-old Ndukwe to meet UK work-permit points
Liverpool’s new signing Ifeanyi Ndukwe cannot feature in competitive matches this season because he lacks a UK work permit, so the club plans to loan him out while he accrues the required points.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who joined Liverpool from Austria Vienna this summer, has shown promise in pre-season but is ineligible for competitive action because he does not meet the UK work-permit criteria. The points-based system awards credit for senior international appearances, minutes played in higher-ranked domestic leagues, participation in continental tournaments, club achievements and the league’s band rating. To reach the 15-point threshold, Liverpool intends to send Ndukwe on loan to a Band 1 league where he can start regularly, ideally also featuring in UEFA competition.
If he amasses sufficient points, the club could recall him in January 2027. However, prospective loan clubs might resist signing him if they fear an early recall could disrupt their own season plans.
Why it matters
The story shows why a promising young player cannot play for Liverpool now and what the club must do to secure his future eligibility.
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