Liverpool's first pre-season under new boss Andoni Iraola has not been without its challenges - but one reason for optimism is the emergence of 18-year-old defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

The Reds have won two and lost two of their four friendlies so far - beating Sunderland and Wrexham, but throwing away two-goal leads in defeats by Leeds and Monaco.

Iraola's side are short of numbers in central defence, so Austrian teenager Ndukwe has been handed more minutes than even he might have expected.

Joe Gomez picked up an injury in Liverpool's first pre-season game, while £60m signing Jeremy Jacquet has been absent with a niggling knee issue and Giovanni Leoni is recovering from a serious knee injury - and Ndukwe has grasped his chance to impress.

With two lots of 90 minutes and an 80-minute display already under his belt, Ndukwe was handed a start alongside captain Virgil van Dijk against Monaco at Anfield on Sunday.

And it didn't take long for the imposing 6ft 6in (1.98m) youngster to draw gasps from the crowd after a neat backheel to wrong-foot Monaco's Mika Biereth, before winning important defensive duels.

After the departure of France international Ibrahima Konate, it remains unclear who will partner Van Dijk in Liverpool's opening Premier League game against Newcastle.

But it won't be Ndukwe.

Post-Brexit rules mean he is not allowed to play for Liverpool in a competitive game in 2026 because he didn't reach the points target required to qualify for a UK work permit - meaning he can only play in friendly matches.

Work permit system explained

Since Brexit, and with the UK no longer part of the European Union, clubs now have to navigate a more complex work permit system to ensure players - especially those who are yet to establish themselves at the top level - are able to move to England.

Austria youth international Ndukwe doesn't currently have enough points to obtain a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) to obtain a work visa.

There is another route into the squad, through taking up an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) slot, which is awarded to foreign players who do not qualify for the standard GBE.

Premier League and Championship clubs have up to four ESC places available, based on the percentage of minutes clubs gave to their England Qualified Players (EQP) in the previous campaign.

But clubs are not entitled to all four spots automatically.

The magic number is 35% of minutes, which means clubs can use four ESC players. Dropping below that begins to reduce the number of ESC slots available.

Liverpool's percentage last season means they only get one ESC place, which has already been taken by Senegalese 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye.

Last season, Freddie Woodman, Gomez, Rhys Williams, Curtis Jones, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha were the only English players in Liverpool's squad, playing a collective 83 times in the Premier League.

This comes after Liverpool lost the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton and loaned out Harvey Elliott.

From Vienna to Merseyside

Developed in the Austria Vienna academy before establishing himself in the club's reserve side, Ndukwe was included in the senior squad on several occasions - making one appearance.

An impressive Under-17 World Cup with Austria in November last year led Liverpool to add the talented youngster to their ranks.

The Reds agreed a deal in principle in January, but the £2.6m transfer became official this summer, once Ndukwe turned 18.

After excelling in pre-season and leaving fans desperate to see more of the teenager, Ndukwe will still be able to play against Como in Liverpool's final friendly on 16 August.

Van Dijk labelled Ndukwe a "big talent" after playing alongside him in the first half against Monaco.

"Obviously, I saw the games in pre-season in America," Van Dijk added.

"Big talent, big guy and he wants to learn. I had a brief conversation with him, especially in the last couple of days. For him, it is just progressing. I know he has to go on loan I think so let's see where he ends up.

"The matter of fact is that he has to go on loan and wherever he goes, he needs to learn, get better and be ready when he comes back to hopefully stay there."

What next?

A decision on Ndukwe's next steps is expected within the next fortnight.

Talking in July, Ndukwe's agent Georg Lederer told Sky Sports Austria: "A loan club will now be found where Ifeanyi can gain playing experience at a very high level.

"Despite this change, we see the situation as a great opportunity for Ifeanyi. Several top international clubs have already expressed concrete interest."

Lederer told BBC Sport on Monday that that they are still in the process of deciding where Ndukwe goes in Europe.

But where will he end up?

Ndukwe must accumulate 15 points across a number of categories while out on loan to qualify automatically for a visa.

Simply put, the better the league Ndukwe plays in, the more points towards a work permit he will earn.

It is understood that, with the right move, the necessary points tally could be achieved by January.

This means Ndukwe could potentially still feature for Liverpool this season, after the turn of the year if he was recalled, but that is a potential drawback for clubs interested in a loan. (BBC)

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