Liverpool’s rejuvenated run of domestic form has propelled them to
within two points of the Premier League’s top four places, with English
star forward Raheem Sterling playing a vital role in their recent
revival.
However, it’s the wonderful winger’s fellow youngster Jordon Ibe who
has been displaying flashes of future brilliance in previous weeks, as
the Reds, who are 7/4 favourites with Coral to win the FA Cup, aim to finish the season strongly.
Similar to Sterling in his attacking style of play and a utilisation
in an unfamiliar position this term, in-form Ibe has captured the
attention of the Anfield faithful with his delightful displays and
gained several high-profile admirers.
The 19-year-old has established himself as a first-team regular under
Northern Irish boss Brendan Rodgers, after returning from a loan spell
with Championship leaders Derby County in January.
Despite beginning his career as a typically pacey forward, Ibe has
been deployed as a right wing back in many recent fixtures, including
the Reds’ impressive 2-0 triumph over fellow top four hopefuls
Southampton.
This versatile wideman has shown great maturity since his return to
Anfield, proving to Reds manager Rodgers that he has the tactical
awareness and understanding to deputise in crucial domestic clashes,
even in an unusual wing back role.
Although playing regularly out of a favoured attacking position, Ibe
has had no complaints, making six Liverpool appearances so far this
year, having netted five goals for the Rams before January.
Victory over Ronald Koeman’s Saints was a fourth consecutive in all
competitions for their Reds, which also moved them up into the Premier
League’s top six, with Ibe having featured in three of those triumphs.
Liverpool’s impressive youngster became the youngest ever Football
League scorer in 2011, after striking a stunning solo goal against
Sheffield Wednesday for his former employers Wycombe Wanderers.
Further ferocious performances then led Rodgers to snap him up
quickly for a mere £750k, beating Manchester City to his signature,
after reportedly being promised a clear pathway into the first-team.
Ibe’s rise to prominence on the red half of Merseyside has been a
similar journey to that of Sterling. Being preferred to in the right
wing back role ahead of Spanish loan signing Javi Manquillo, who is a
more natural option threre, shows Liverpool lacking a strong base of
players in that position.
Superb Sterling was handed his first-team debut by Kenny Dalglish
towards the end of the 2011/12 campaign, but the Reds’ new shining star
Ibe has been introduced for his own a lot earlier in this current
campaign, and repaying his manager’s faith with strong showings in each
earned outing.
Comparisons will continue to be made as the new Anfield attacking
starlet earns glowing praises with each passing Premier League
appearance.
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