Liverpool’s Defensive Jigsaw: Chambers and Ndukwe at the Heart

Liverpool’s defensive jigsaw is shifting again – and Luke Chambers and Ifeanyi Ndukwe sit right at the heart of it.

Iraola leans into youth, but one defender may be on the move

Liverpool’s squad is swollen with talent, from the senior group down to the academy. Under Arne Slot, that depth often felt theoretical. An injury crisis forced improvisation, yet most youngsters – aside from Rio Ngumoha – barely saw the pitch and Anfield’s production line stalled.

Andoni Iraola has changed the mood. The Spaniard has already shown far greater faith in the club’s prospects, with Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni and Isaac Mabaya all expected to feature regularly this season. The pathway suddenly looks open again.

Defence, though, remained a priority area in the summer. Liverpool moved decisively, bringing in Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet to stiffen the back line after last season’s shortage of options. Even so, the lack of depth was so stark that players like Mabaya and Luke Chambers were initially kept around to bulk out the centre-back group.

That stance may not last.

Journalist Lewis Bower has reported that Celtic are admirers of Chambers, posting on X: “I wonder, eh. Celtic really like Luke Chambers.” The interest comes from a club with Champions League pedigree and hints at Liverpool’s willingness to find the 20-year-old a new home.

Chambers is currently fifth-choice centre-back. On paper, losing him would not be seismic. In reality, it could be the first clear sign of a reshuffle designed to open the door for someone else.

Ndukwe’s work-permit wait complicates Liverpool’s plans

That someone is Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

The Austrian defender lit up pre-season, impressing staff and supporters with his composure and timing in the tackle. With Ibrahima Konaté gone and a major void in central defence, Ndukwe looked like a player who had been anchoring a back line for years, not a youngster with minimal senior experience.

The club’s problem was bureaucratic, not footballing. Ndukwe did not immediately qualify for a work permit, so Liverpool sent him to Levante on loan. The plan was simple: get him minutes in La Liga, accumulate the necessary points, then bring him back into Iraola’s plans.

So far, the plan has stalled. Levante have yet to give Ndukwe game time, leaving his work-permit situation unchanged and Liverpool’s hopes of a quick recall on hold.

That is where Chambers’ future becomes critical. If the Englishman heads to Celtic in January and Ndukwe still lacks the required points, Liverpool risk creating another gap at centre-back – exactly what they tried to avoid in the first place.

The club expects to be active again in the winter window, and fresh signings are on the table. But the ideal scenario is obvious: Levante finally use Ndukwe, his work permit gets sorted, and Liverpool can replace Chambers from within rather than diving back into the market.

Some supporters have already started talking about Ndukwe as a potential long-term heir to Virgil van Dijk, drawn in by his stature, calm presence and defensive timing. That is a huge comparison and one he still has to justify over years, not weeks of pre-season.

For now, the situation is more practical than romantic. If Celtic firm up their interest and Chambers leaves, Liverpool need Ndukwe’s path to clear quickly. Otherwise, Iraola’s attempt to rebuild and refresh his defence could hinge on a teenager waiting for minutes in Spain.