Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe set to join Levante on loan | OneFootball

Liverpool centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe is set to join Levante on loan, according to journalist Nacho Sanchis.

Ndukwe joined Liverpool from Austria Wien this summer, although the two clubs agreed a deal in January.

The 18-year-old was outstanding in pre-season, particularly in the 3-2 defeat to AS Monaco at Anfield. He looked composed alongside Virgil van Dijk.

However, Ndukwe is ineligible to play for Liverpool this season because he does not have a work permit.

He is set to join Levante on a loan deal. Liverpool believe Levante offers a good environment for young players to develop, which played a key role in their decision to allow Ndukwe to join them.

Liverpool’s director of global talent, Matt Newberry, identified Ndukwe as a player who could eventually break into the first team.

The Austrian youngster is an imposing centre-back with recovery pace and outstanding tackling skills, while he is also comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Ndukwe will have the opportunity to gain more first-team experience at Levante. He could be part of Liverpool’s senior side in the 2027/28 season if he impresses with the La Liga outfit.

The Merseyside giants are set to rely on Van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Ronald Araujo and Giovanni Leoni as their centre-back options this season.

Leoni is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but is expected to return by the end of September.

Van Dijk and Jacquet will be Liverpool’s first-choice centre-backs this season, starting with their Premier League opener at Newcastle United on Sunday.