Everything you NEED to know about Ifeanyi Ndukwe as Liverpool agree transfer | OneFootball

Liverpool have made their move on one of the brightest prospects in the world - Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Here's all you need to know about the soon-to-be Red.

A report from The Athletic claims that the club are in formal talks to sign Austria Vienna's young star, while Fabrizio Romano has given the 'Here We Go' on his move and confirmed Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign the youngster. It appears as though he's on his way.

Ndukwe is only 17 years old, and yet he's already seen as one of the standout talents in the world, with the potential to join Arne Slot's first-team set-up within the next few years. He's extraordinary.

The Austrian has played so few games in his extremely limited career so far, and yet he's core attributes make him so impressive that he looks destined to succeed at the top level.

It's for this reason why Liverpool have decided to jump the gun - to get him before anyone else does.

Why is Ndukwe so highly regarded?

Liverpool are a club that's known for their incredible work with young players and turning them into big stars. It's symptomatic of the academy to make approaches for talents who impress early on.

Ndukwe has all the hallmarks of a player of that nature and his performances for the international Austrian youth team in the recent Under-17 World Cup perfectly illustrated the qualities he's got.

Across the three group stage matches, followed by all four knockout rounds (including the final), the defender played 603 minutes and assisted his team in keeping five clean sheets, conceding just twice.

Records like that almost never happen and it's clear that Ndukwe played a massive role in that effort, which should've resulted in his side taking home the trophy, except for them losing in the final.

He was generally considered one of the players of the tournament and he only missed out on the Golden Ball award to Portugal's Mateus Mide, who scored four goals and secured two assists.

As mentioned earlier, the young defender's profile makes him an incredible prospect for Liverpool.

Primarily, his 6ft 4ins (198 cm) height is what is attracting most people's attention to him. To be that tall generally speaking is remarkable when you consider that Virgil Van Dijk is shorter than him. As a defender, he's really quite towering in both boxes. There are few players that can be so imposing.

And then there's his general understanding of the game, which is perhaps his next greatest asset, blocking off opposition attackers, making countless blocks and interceptions, as well as just getting his body in the way as often as possible. Much like Liverpool's captain, he can be really imperious.

© IMAGO - Ifeanyi Ndukwe Liverpool

In spite of how tall he is, he's also remarkably quick - which can be a get-out-of-jail card for him when his decision-making goes slightly awry. At times he engages with the ball when he's better off sitting back, and the other way around. But that will come with time when he gains more experience.

On the ball, however, he's incredibly composed and copes well under pressure, be that passing out from the back or making long cross-field passes - again, much like Liverpool's senior defenders do.