Nigerian-born defender, Ifeanyi Ndukwe has gained sympathy from Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, following confirmation that UK work pernit restrictions have stopped the youngster from staying at Anfield this season.
Sports247 reports that Ndukwe, an Austria youth international, cannot play in the English Premier League because his status is not within range of qualification marks for a work permit, which Van Dijk admitted means the youngster will have to leave Merseyside for now.
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Ndukwe is now heading out on loan, despite his sterling form with The Reds during pre-season, and the club’s fans eager to see more of him, but he will still be able to play against Como of Italy in Liverpool’s final friendly match this Sunday.
That might turn out to be the teenage stopper’s last match for Liverpool this year, much to the dismay of Van Dijk, who tagged Ndukwe ‘a big talent,’ while also admitting he will miss the youngster.
Van Dijk, who played alongside Ndukwe in the first half against AS Monaco of France this past Sunday, added, “I saw the games of our pre-season in America. I had a brief conversation with him, especially in the last couple of days.
“For him, it is just progressing. I know he has to go on loan; I think. So, let’s see where he ends up. The matter of fact is that he has to go on loan and, wherever he goes, he needs to learn, get better, and be ready when he comes back.”
Sports247 reports further that Ndukwe was handed a start alongside Van Dijk in their friendly against Monaco at Anfield and the 18-year-old imposing 6ft 6in lad drew gasps from the crowd after a neat backheel to wrong-foot Mika Biereth.
Ndukwe also pulled off several important defensive duels but, after the exit of France international, Ibrahima Konate, it remains unclear who will partner Van Dijk in Liverpool’s opening EPL fixture next weekend against Newcastle United.
The Nigerian-born lad is a victim of new rules in place since Brexit, with the UK no longer part of the European Union, meaning EPL clubs now have to face a more complex work permit system to ensure players who are yet to establish themselves at the top level are able to play in England.
Unfortunately, Ndukwe doesn’t currently have enough points to obtain a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) to obtain a work visa, but The Reds are still hoping to clear him through an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) slot awarded to foreign players who do not qualify for the standard status.
