During last summer’s preseason Liverpool supporters got a chance to see new Academy player Ndukwe up close as he was put to work under head coach Andoni Iraola and it didn’t take long for us all to be impressed by the 18 year-old, 6’,6 Austrian center back.
Until Ronald Araujo was signed on loan we were down to an unproven Jeremy Jacquet and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk after Joe Gomez did what we are all used to, getting injured. It was looking desperate and made worse by the fact that Ndukwe wasn’t
able to play professionally for Liverpool due to needing more points to qualify for a UK work permit. Those necessary points could only be achieved with a loan to a European club. That club was to be Levante in the Spanish La Liga and their manager Luis Castro introduced Ndukwe as a late sub in the game against Barcelona on Sunday and even though Levante lost 4-2 it was a big win for Liverpool and quality prospect Ndukwe.
The Reds remain unbeaten (sounds good right!?) but the results and overall performances for Iraola’s Liverpool haven’t been overly inspiring yet both Jacquet and Araujo have definitely enthused the supporters but it’s noteworthy that Iraola has deployed Araujo as a right back in the last three games which has meant all three available center backs have been on the pitch at the same time. That factor leaves this writer always relieved after the games due to none of them picking up injuries but it’s a big risk which could cause a major problem. It’s a risk that feels even more problematic as both Jacquet and Araujo are still building their fitness after having no game time during the preseason.
The most helpful situation will be Giovanni Leoni becoming available soon and penciled in for a return to training during the international break whilst Iraola stated Gomez is back in training this week and will play some part against Spurs in the League Cup. If things are still not looking good for the defensive unit’s depth by next January then there will be the option available to Liverpool for recalling Ndukwe from his loan at Levante. This writer is hoping that isn’t an option which has to be taken, mostly because it would mean we are having serious problems with the squad and injuries.
Another possible scenario is that Liverpool decide Levante’s manager Luis Castro isn’t giving enough game time to Ndukwe so a recall to be loaned back out to another club with a playing time guarantee could be the way forward until the end of the current season. The most important thing was to get the required points to apply for Ndukwe’s UK work permit and now with that looking highly likely the next concern is game time experience in preparation for next season. With Virgil’s contract up at the end of this season the idea of having 18 year-old Ndukwe back at Liverpool with his UK work permit alongside Jacquet and Leoni (and possibly Araujo with the option to buy) is somewhat encouraging.
