James Pearce heaped praise on one ‘commanding’ Liverpool player in the first half of this afternoon’s friendly against Monaco at Anfield.
The Reds are back at home after a three-match tour to the United States to begin Andoni Iraola’s reign as head coach, when the Basque had a good look at numerous academy players in the absence of several established stars.
One of those who impressed the most on Stateside is Ifeanyi Ndukwe, whose performances at centre-back belied his tender age of 18.
Pearce singles out Ndukwe for praise
The Austrian started today’s match alongside Virgil van Dijk (who’s almost twice his age) at the heart of the Liverpool defence, and he had the home fans gasping in delight in the opening minutes after an exquisite backheel to wrong-foot Monaco’s Mika Biereth.
Pearce singled out the teenage centre-back for praise as he posted on X: ‘Ndukwe carrying on where he left off on the pre-season tour. The young Austrian defender so composed and commanding.’
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Ndukwe looks like an exceptional talent
Liverpool may have had a major shortage of centre-backs on the recent tour to the U.S., something which hasn’t been lost on FSG as they close in on a loan move for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, but the displays of Ndukwe have been massively encouraging for the future.
The teenager has made a single competitive senior appearance (as a stoppage-time substitute for previous club Austria Vienna), but he’s played with a maturity beyond his years for the Reds in pre-season, putting his body on the line defensively and playing with Van Dijk-esque composure.
Ifeanyi Ndukwepic.twitter.com/X3iYG2RVuB
— ً (@k4comps) August 9, 2026
Unfortunately, the youngster will have to be loaned out for the 2026/27 campaign as he doesn’t meet the critera for a UK work permit (The Athletic), with a potential return to the Austrian capital having been mooted.
However, if such a move helps Ndukwe to obtain regular football over the next nine months and return to Liverpool an even more rounded player, it can only be a positive thing for his development.
On his first outing at Anfield, he’s looked like someone who could be a massive part of the Reds’ future, which is extremely helpful when the legendary Van Dijk is into the twilight of his career.
As you add VVD, the sh*t starts over again. 2nd half instead of going forward, these kids kept the ball backward. We have barely 11 players who are ready to start.
Never want to see Endo play as a centre back again. Absolutely dreadful
It’s becoming a disgrace for Liverpool to lose to teams, lower ones at that, from 2-0 up to losing at 2-4 and 2-3. Is this what we are expecting this season?
Ndukwe can join us in January if he is loaned out to one of the top 5 European leagues and plays at least one game
Four conceded against Leeds another three yesterday.
Three goals from set pieces. We couldn’t defend last season and nothing has changed. No protection whatsoever in front of the defence.
Pre season or not what is evident is how poor the squad is. Jones didn’t play because FSG want to sell him.
Rhys Williams looked good a few years ago and looked what happened to him.
In most cases potential is never fulfilled.
With the current squad it’s going to be a long season.
More of the same as last season.
Ok it was only a friendly, but having to watch Monacos high line in our half for most of the second half was sickening. Much work to be done here.
Leed to defeat lfc, we did not have a lot of defence.now, since barcola will join lfc and not yet join until gunner hijacks barcola