Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that youngster Jordon Ibe would’ve struggled to break into the first team had he not spent the first half of last season out on loan at Derby County.
“He developed very, very well there. He certainly came back a young man and now the opportunity and responsibility is there for him to make the next step and become a regular.”
“He just needed experience. For young players, people forget that when you’re playing in youth football and reserve football, you’re playing in front of not so many people,” Rodgers added.
“So to have to feel the pressure of going out to perform for a group of fans, we felt that was something he needed. But it was important for him not just to go to any club, he needed to go to the right club.”
The 19-year-old was recalled early in January after scoring 5 goals in 20 appearances in the Championship, and was thrown in at the deep end straight away, starting matches against Tottenham, Everton and Southampton.
“When he went to Derby with Steve McClaren, they played a great level of football. Steve is a very experienced manager who has worked at all levels.”
“He developed very, very well there. He certainly came back a young man and now the opportunity and responsibility is there for him to make the next step and become a regular.”
And Rodgers made sure to highlight the versatility of the youngster.
“He has shown his flexibility. His best position is probably off the left side coming in, but left side or right side or at times in behind he can play very well.”
“He’s a player that you need to give instruction to, but not too much or you dampen all that flair and style that he has.”
“For a winger, he can go the 90 minutes; he can get up and down the field, he wants to work hard with and without the ball.”
After returning from loan, Ibe made 12 appearances – in varying positions on the pitch – before an injury saw him side-lined for 6 weeks at a crucial stage of Liverpool’s season.
His performances for both clubs this season were enough to secure a new and improved long-term contract at Anfield. And Rodgers is looking forward to working with Ibe for years to come and hopes he can cement his place as a first-team regular.
“He’s technically gifted, blessed with physical attributes of speed and strength naturally, and obviously over the next few years it’s about strengthening up that mentality of the game, learning the game tactically and hopefully improving consistency.”
