Brendan Rodgers says that Jordon Ibe ”still has a long way to go”, despite the youngster’s impressive performance as Liverpool beat Adelaide United 2-0.
Since the departure of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City, Ibe has been lauded as the ideal player to replace Sterling.
The 19-year-old created the opening goal of the game for new signing James Milner to put the Reds 1-0 up, before Danny Ings bagged a second late on in the game.
However, manager Rodgers still believes the youngster signed from Wycombe Wanderers in 2012 still has a long way to go.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Rodgers said:
“He is still very young, he is still 19 years of age but you can see the potential in him. He just needs to be continually working hard at his game. He has still got a long way to go for that consistency but everyone sees that potential.
“He went out on loan last season and came back to be part of the first team, so he is very much part of the squad.
“All our young players know that if they demonstrate the right personality they have a chance to play.”
Ibe has been played in a more central position at times under Rodgers, but the Northern Irishman sees his future out wide:
“He is a winger that likes to be on the outside. I’ve played him as a ‘number 10’ and had a look at him at him in there.
“I think he could maybe play that role as well, but I think he is a natural winger. He is happy to be in the duel, he likes to set up the ‘one v one’. His best position will be on the sides for sure,” added Rodgers.
