Ifeanyi Ndukwe: Liverpool are backing him, Nigeria should think about it

His name is starting to circulate at Anfield. Ifeanyi Ndukwe, a 18-year-old centre-back signed from Austria Vienna, made a striking impression during Liverpool's pre-season preparations. Powerful, composed in his challenges and comfortable in possession, the youngster quickly justified the faith the Reds placed in him.

An administrative hurdle from the outset

His rise has, however, quickly hit a stumbling block. Ndukwe does not currently have enough points to obtain a British work permit. Despite his convincing performances in pre-season, Liverpool will therefore be unable to field him in official competition at the start of the season.

The club is consequently expected to send him out on loan, with a specific objective: to allow him to accumulate the experience needed to return to England with a stronger administrative case. A frustrating situation for the Reds, but one that simultaneously opens up another line of thought — that of his future at international level.

Dual nationality, an open door for Nigeria

Born in Vienna to a Nigerian father and a Russian mother, Ndukwe is eligible to represent several nations. He has already worn the Austrian shirt at youth level, including at the 2025 U17 World Cup, but has never yet been called up to a senior national team.

The Super Eagles potentially have an interesting card to play here. Convincing this 1.98 m defender, trained in Europe and now contracted to Liverpool, to definitively choose the green shirt would be a notable coup for the Nigerian federation.

Potential to be confirmed, a decision not to delay

At 18, his talent obviously remains to be confirmed over time. But Nigeria would be wrong to remain a spectator in this matter. A young centre-back under contract at Liverpool, with considerable room for progression and still free to choose his national team: the door is at least worth pushing open.

For Ndukwe, the goal is clear: to string matches together on loan, improve and return to Anfield with every argument in his favour. For Nigeria, the moment to start the conversation may already have arrived.