UK work permit rules explained: How Liverpool could get Ifeanyi Ndukwe back in January | OneFootball

Ifeanyi Ndukwe has been a breakout start of Liverpool’s pre-season, but unfortunately the Reds won’t be able to use him in competitive action this year as he doesn’t qualify for a UK work permit.

The 18-year-old, who officially became a Reds player this summer after agreeing a move from Austria Vienna in January, has performed tremendously in recent friendlies, with James Pearce praising his ‘commanding’ display in the first half against Monaco at Anfield on Sunday.

Unfortunately, the Merseysiders will be compelled to loan him out for the coming months in order to obtain senior experience, although there is a way that they could viably bring him back to L4 in the early weeks of 2027.

As mentioned by Matt Smith on LFCTV‘s coverage of the game yesterday – and later corroborated by David Lynch – Ndukwe could theoretically be recalled from loan in January if he earns enough points to qualify for a UK work permit by then.

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How can Ndukwe qualify for a UK work permit?

Data analyst and football scout Liam Henshaw has helpfully summarised how the points system works when it comes to obtaining a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) and, in turn, that all-important work permit.

How can a player obtain a GBE?

This can happen in one of two ways – either they qualify for an Auto Pass by accruing sufficient senior competitive international minutes (higher-ranked nations are given priority), or they obtain 15 points across a series of criteria, which are outlined below.

How are GBE points calculated?

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

What are the current ‘bands’?

It’s important to note that the bands are reviewed every summer, so a Band 1 league for 2026/27 could drop to Band 2 for 2027/28, or vice versa.

What does all this mean for Ndukwe?

In theory, Liverpool’s best chance of getting Ndukwe a work permit by January is by loaning him to a Band 1 club where he’ll be starting every week, both domestically and in continental action.

For example, if he were loaned to Como and he starts regularly in Serie A and the Champions League, he’ll accrue points rapidly; whereas a move to Basel in Switzerland and more sporadic game-time would make it a lot harder for him to reach the qualifying mark of 15 points.

However, as Lynch pointed out, a prospective loan club might be wary of the 18-year-old earning enough points for an Anfield recall in January and losing him mid-season, which could make them more reluctant to sign him.

Obviously Liverpool would like to see Ndukwe being tested at as high a level as possible, but the single most important factor over the next few months is that he’s playing regularly (wherever that may be) and the promise he’s shown in recent weeks isn’t left go to waste because of a poorly-chosen destination.