Liverpool have some extremely talented young centre-backs at their disposal currently, with a new update regarding loanee Ifeanyi Ndukwe now emerging.

The 18-year-old produced some impressive performances for the Reds during pre-season, prior to joining Levante on loan, and he has been lauded by their manager, Luis Castro:

“First, a player of his age who makes a mistake and continues playing with the personality he showed, keeping the ball, attacking without any fear, it shows you what he can become one day.

“He is not the first and… I would like him to be the last but he is not going to be the last player who will make a mistake that costs you a goal against. Some are more visible than others but he hasn’t been the first, nor will he be the last. The goal I think is good for him because mentally it gives him a little more stability.

“But he is not a player who, after the error… a player with a weak mentality doesn’t play the game he played, the duels he won, how he defended, how he attacked, how he went forward. He is a player who has great potential I think. If he has a normal development, he can be one of the best in the world in his position.”

Ndukwe had to be loaned out because he hadn’t obtained a UK work permit, but that has now changed, and Sky Sport Austria’s Eric Niederseer reports the following:

“Ifeanyi Ndukwe (18) has already collected the points to qualify for UK work permit after his debut for UD Levante in September. His agents at More Than Sport by AS1 will travel to UK to meet with Liverpool FC and discuss a potential winter return and next career steps.”

Should Liverpool recall Ifeanyi Ndukwe from loan spell?

Alongside Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, Ndukwe is one of three outstanding young defensive prospects at Liverpool, with the above comments summing up his vast potential, as well as these from journalist Bence Bocsak last year:

“Austrian football has such an exciting present and future. Among the brightest young prospects is Ifeanyi Ndukwe. He’s probably been one of the best centre-backs in the U17 World Cup so far. Won 79% of his defensive duels and 68% of his aerial duels. Part of an Austrian team that conceded just one goal in their run to the final.

“What stands out about him is how dominant he is at this level. At 1.98 metres his physical profile is impressive. He’s quick for a centre-back and he knows how to use that to his advantage. He blocks off so much for opposition attackers with his imposing stature. Able to make a lot of blocks and interceptions as a result.”

That said, there doesn’t seem to be too much sense in Liverpool recalling Ndukwe in January, despite his quality, with the teenager better off growing as a footballer at Levante.

He could then return to Anfield for pre-season next summer, at which point he could be seen as a key part of Andoni Iraola’s squad, possibly replacing Joe Gomez in it, ahead of a likely departure on a free transfer when his contract expires.