Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has spoken warmly about Ifeanyi Ndukwu, calling the young Nigerian a big talent who is eager to develop his game.

Van Dijk made the remarks in an interview on the club's official website, where he recalled watching Ndukwu during Liverpool's pre-season tour in the United States. "Obviously I saw the games in pre-season in America," the Dutch defender said. "He's a big talent, big guy and he wants to learn and I had a brief conversation with him, especially in the last couple of days."

Work permit hurdle forces loan move

Despite Van Dijk's praise, Ndukwu faces a significant obstacle: post-Brexit regulations have prevented him from registering for competitive matches in the UK. He did not accumulate enough points to satisfy the Governing Body Endorsement threshold, which means he is currently limited to friendly matches at Liverpool.

With no pathway to competitive football at Anfield this season, a loan departure is now inevitable. Van Dijk acknowledged the situation, saying, "I know he has to go on loan — let's see where he ends up. Yeah, it's a shame he has to move on loan. I don't know exactly what the rules are but the matter of fact is that he has to go on loan."

The Liverpool skipper was clear about what he expects from Ndukwu during his time away. "Wherever he goes, he needs to learn, get better and be ready when he comes back to hopefully stay there," Van Dijk added. "For him it is just progressing."

Several clubs tracking the forward

Strong interest has emerged from clubs in Germany, Portugal, and Denmark as Liverpool work to finalise a loan agreement before the transfer window closes. The club are focused on finding a destination that will give Ndukwu meaningful minutes and the right environment to grow.

For Ndukwu, the loan spell represents a critical period — a chance to prove he belongs at one of Europe's biggest clubs once the regulatory hurdles are cleared.