Liverpool’s reputation for developing young players is well founded, and the Reds currently have several excellent prospects on the books.
Rio Ngumoha, Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni have all progressed from their roles as academy stars to important members of Liverpool’s first-team squad in the past few months.
There are other players on the periphery of Andoni Iraola’s side too, but the Reds also have a number of their most exciting prospects out on loan.
These players are out gaining crucial experience playing regular senior football, but there is one loanee that could return to Merseyside sooner than anticipated in the winter.
Liverpool youngster ready for recall?
Ifeanyi Ndukwe arrived at Liverpool this summer from Austria Wien for around £2.6 million, but the 18-year-old did not qualify for a work permit and therefore is spending this season on loan with Levante in the Spanish topflight.
The youngster was massively impressive for the Reds during their preseason and earned plenty of praise from spectators, leaving many disappointed when he was unable to join Andoni Iraola’s squad.
Ndukwe is growing every week at Levante however and, having now made enough appearances to qualify for a work permit, supporters could see their hopes realised soon.
The Austrian has now made four appearances for Levante, with his first two coming from the bench and the rest starts in which he played the full 90 minutes.
The teenager has even already scored his first goal in La Liga, and is getting vital minutes in his legs ahead of a potentially massive return to Anfield in January.
The Reds have been heavily linked with several defenders ahead of the winter window, and the long-term future of Liverpool’s backline is also in question.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both out of contract at the end of the season, and Ndukwe having half a season under Iraola this campaign would prepare him to step up.
The loan move for the 18-year-old seems to have worked perfectly, and it won’t be long until the Austrian is making his debut for Liverpool.