Liverpool Receive Boost as Ifeanyi Ndukwe Becomes Eligible to Play This Season

Nigerian-Austrian defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe is now set to become eligible to play for Liverpool this season, after making his debut on loan at Levante.

The 18-year-old centre-back came off the bench in the 71st minute of Levante's 4-2 home defeat to reigning La Liga champions Barcelona on Sunday.

Ndukwe joined Liverpool from Austria Vienna in a £2.6 million move after impressing during a pre-season trial, with the deal having been agreed in principle earlier in the year. Despite a strong run of summer friendlies, he was unable to feature in a competitive match for Liverpool in the first half of the season due to complications with his work permit.

His debut for Levante has now moved him past the threshold needed to secure that permit.

Even without it, Liverpool would have had an exemption spot available from February onwards that could have allowed Ndukwe to play. The club also retains the option to recall him from his loan at Levante in January, should they decide that is the right move.

Elsewhere, another young Liverpool signing also made his mark over the weekend. Forward Djylian N'Guessan made his Ligue 1 debut for Brest on Sunday, coming on for the final 12 minutes of a 1-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool agreed a £4.25 million deal for the 18-year-old striker from Saint-Etienne earlier this month. N'Guessan has signed a pre-contract agreement that will see him officially join Liverpool in January, and he is spending the first half of the season on loan at Brest to continue gaining experience in a top-flight league. His progress will be reviewed once he formally becomes a Liverpool player in the new year.