New Liverpool wonderkid can only play for club once more this year despite starring vs Monaco

One of Liverpool's biggest emerging talents can only play for the club once more in 2026 - despite being handed a start by Andoni Iraola in their 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat against Monaco.

The Reds are slowly beginning to get back to full strength as the Premier League season approaches, with players returning from their mandatory breaks after the World Cup.

A strong Liverpool side was chosen to start at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, with the likes of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Alisson Becker and captain Virgil van Dijk all in the XI.

Isak gave Iraola's side the lead on 16 minutes following a superb team move, with Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai combining for a slick one-two on the edge of the area before the former slipped Isak through to slot beyond the goalkeeper.

Isak then assisted Wirtz to make it 2-0 to the Reds on 29 minutes, before Alexander Golovin halved Monaco's deficit from the penalty spot just before half-time.

The French principality side turned things around in the second half through goals from former Arsenal striker Mika Biereth and young German forward Paul Brunner.

Also in the line-up at Anfield was 18-year-old centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who has impressed throughout pre-season amid Liverpool's defensive injury crisis.

The towering 6ft 6in defender signed for Liverpool upon the opening of the transfer window from Austrian side Austria Wien, with the value of the deal totalling around £2.6 million.

Ndukwe looks set to have a bright future at Anfield, having impressed in the first half against Monaco before being taken off at half-time.

But he is only allowed to play one more game for them for the rest of the year.

That is because, when he signed for the club, he didn't reach the points target required to qualify for a UK work permit - meaning he cannot play in competitive matches.

In previous years, the Austrian may have been able to accept an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) permit, which is given to players who do not qualify for the standard Governing Body Exemption (GBE) permit.

But a new FA rule for this season has reduced the maximum number of ESC squad slots for each Premier League club by one.

Fellow new signing Mor Talla Ndiaye, a Senegalese 18-year-old centre-back signed from Amitie FC this summer, has taken the spare ESC slot, meaning Ndukwe will not be eligible to play for Liverpool until 2027 at the earliest and needs to be loaned out to be able to play first-team football.

He will be able to feature in the Reds' final pre-season friendly of the summer against Como next Saturday.

Mor Talla Ndiaye could stay with Liverpool's first team squad this season (Image: Getty)

His agent, Georg Lederer, told Sky Sports Austria in July: "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 in a loan."

Lederer went on to state that Liverpool wanted Ndukwe to be part of the first team squad, and not their academy, during the first half of this season had he received a work permit.

Liverpool close to centre-back signing

While Iraola has relied on young players throughout pre-season due to a host of injury problems in defensive areas, Liverpool are closing in on the signing of a new centre-back.

Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo is nearing a season-long loan move to Anfield. The deal for the Uruguayan is reported to be a straight loan with no buy option inserted.

READ MORE: Liverpool learn Ronald Araujo transfer price as loan deal details emerge

It is not clear as to how significant a role the 27-year-old will play under Iraola, with Virgil van Dijk, the returning Giovanni Leoni and new signing Jeremy Jacquet already on the books.

But he will provide defensive cover following Joe Gomez's injury and the free transfer departure of Ibrahima Konate in the summer.