Teenage attacker Jordon Ibe this week revealed how he will be returning to Melwood earlier than asked this summer, in an attempt to come back better and fitter than last season.
The previous campaign saw the player establish himself in the first team squad off the back of a brilliant short-term spell with Derby County.
Ibe told the Official Liverpool FC Magazine that his summer consists of some resting, but that he is fully focussed on returning to the first team fold.
“I’ll have a few breaks abroad and recharge the batteries if it’s possible. But I’m coming back in early,” said the winger. “I’ll be working with Alex Inglethorpe on my shooting. I know I need to improve on every aspect of my game. But I know too that goalscoring gives you confidence. It can lift other parts of your game to new levels.”
This should be music to the ears of Liverpool fans, many of whom are still angry at the way fellow forward Raheem Sterling has approached the club over the past few months.
Coming across as a humble and down to earth lad, Ibe said: “I want to give myself every chance of starting next season in form already. I don’t take my position for granted and I certainly don’t consider myself an established first-team player just because I’ve signed a new contract.”
It is no doubt that these words will also please Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who may be adding much more attacking firepower to the team this off-season, but clearly rates Ibe, having recalled him six months early from his loan spell at Derby last year.
On coming back to pre-season training, Ibe mentioned how he will not be doing any extra gym work on the back of praise for his strength both on and off the ball.
“I don’t do any extra gym work, I’m lucky I was born this way and if you hammer it, you’ll go too big and lose that bounce in your speed. I’m quite relaxed about it,” Ibe continued.
“I know a few of the lads use the gym quite a lot and I can understand why because the Premier League is very demanding physically. You have to be ready for the battle.”
It is a battle that Ibe will need to be prepared for, as Liverpool will look to improve on their poor 2014-15 season and go even further in the cup competitions, after losing to Chelsea and Aston Villa both in domestic semi-finals.
The player, however, knows exactly what needs to be done to put last season’s horror show behind him, stating it is upfront where he can change the team’s fortunes, and in front of goal in particular:
“I know I’ve got to start chipping in with goals. I realise this season we haven’t scored enough. If you score goals, it’s easier to win matches. And from a personal point of view, if you score goals it’s a lot more difficult for the manager to leave you out.”
Ibe seems destined for great things, and he is a player that the club will want to keep hold of in the coming seasons.
“I’m hoping this is just the start for me,” said Ibe. “I want to play in lots of games. I’d like to play in the Champions League eventually.”
If that dream is to become a reality for the speedy winger, Liverpool will need to make sure next season is one to remember for both player and fans alike.
