As Liverpool FC prepare to face Arsenal FC in a crunch tie in the Premier League, youngster Jordan Ibe has vowed to improve his game and add goals after having started the opening two fixtures for the Reds.
Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers has implemented a ‘if you are good enough, you are old enough’ policy at Anfield. His reign has seen Liverpool FC debut a host of youngsters, including Raheem Sterling, Jordan Rossiter, Joe Gomez, Jerome Sinclair etc. in recent times.
Arguably, since Raheem Sterling’s emergence, Jordan Ibe is the brightest talent to have come out of the Kirkby academy.
Ibe acknowledges he needs to up his game
Liverpool FC finished as a disappointing sixth in the Premier League last season. However, one shining light in the season, besides the form of Philippe Coutinho, was teenager Jordan Ibe who broke into the starting XI.
The winger lit up Anfield with his pace, power and direct running and has earned rave reviews for his performances in the pre-season tour of the Reds.
Manager Brendan Rodgers had promised more opportunities for Ibe in the season and he has kept his word by starting the winger in the opening two games.
However, he has not really performed in the manner he did last season or in the pre-season in those two outings. Acknowledging that he needs to up his game further, Ibe was quoted by Liverpool Echo, saying:
a I think I can play much better than I have done in the two games so far, especially with attacking the full-back,a he said.
a But with more games, hopefully I will get more confidence and be better in the coming games.
a There is a lot of stuff I need to work on. I need to be chipping in with goals and assists.
a Therea s a lot of competition here and everyone wants to start. You can just see that eagerness in training.
a The gaffer gives a chance to everyone. If you prove yourself in training you will get a chance to play whether you are a senior player or an 18 or 19-year-old boy like myself and Joe Gomez.a
Ibe desperate to improve his goalscoring record
Ibe is yet to score his first goal for Liverpool FC since breaking in the side last season. The winger, who trained with Kenny Dalglish in the pre-season to ensure he scores more often, has admitted that the lack of goals is something that is worrying him.
Describing the extra training he did during the pre-season, after cancelling his vacation, Ibe said:
a The first day I came in, it was just me and Alex [Inglethorpe]. Then the second day he brought in Kenny Dalglish. It was a surprise for me, to be fair.
a Ia d seen clips of Kenny on YouTube and when they show the legends on LFCTV.
a It was great to get advice from someone of his status because he scored all types of goals in his career.
a We worked on shooting and crossing and getting in the areas where the ball might be when the opposite winger is crossing it.
a I just need to continue doing it.Kenny told me to be always positive a taking shots from all around the box and making sure I always get into the box when I havena t got the ball.
a The fact that I havena t scored my first goal for Liverpool definitely gets on my nerves at times.
a I might put too much pressure on myself but hopefully it will come in due time.
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Liverpool fans will hope that the goal comes against Arsenal FC, and hopefully is a winning one.