Saturday, 2 May 2015

Brendan Rodgers key to my progress – Ibe


The Nigerian youngster reveals how the Reds gaffer has been key to his smooth transition into the Liverpool first team since his return from a loan spell.

Philippe Coutinho - Jordan Ibe, Preston North End v Liverpool - Pre Season Friendly
Liverpool rookie Jordan Ibe has said that manager Brendan Rodgers has been instrumental to his progress since returning to the Anfield based outfit after completing his loan move to Derby County.

The 19-year-old midfielder boasts of 10 appearances for the Reds' senior team, and would likely have added more had he not been sidelined due to injury.

 The winger's contribution since his return to Merseyside led Rodgers to hail him as a 'very important' part of the squad earlier this week.

"It gives me a lot of confidence. I'm happy the gaffer thinks of me that way and hopefully I can just do what he thinks I can do on the pitch, do well and try to get goals for the team,” Liverpoolfc.com.

"He's given me the chance to play in the first team and I'm enjoying it and learning from all the players. 

"I feel I can take this into next season and keep playing and doing well."

"He's told me at times, 'Don't back down from going at a player'. If there's 10 opportunities to go at a player and I lose it nine times, he said the 10th time hopefully I'll go past the player,” he continued.

"It gives me the confidence and freedom when I'm in the final third to express myself and try to do something positive - get a goal or whip it in for someone to score."

The former Wycombe Wanderers starlet is currently focusing on contributing more goals and revealed one area where he feels he has made a big improvement of late. 

"I can remember there was a chance in a game where I could have been back post and got a tap-in, so it's just getting in the right areas and in the frame of the goal. I'm working on that," he added.

"I'm starting to get into the right areas now and making the right runs, so I think that's one of the key areas I've developed throughout the whole season. 

"One of the biggest improvements [I have made] would be that I used to get nervous but I feel like I handle it better and play with the team with freedom."

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