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Jordon Ibe is able to do things that most 19-year-old wingers cannot. He's pacey, strong, direct, and projects to be Liverpool's next big star. But to make good on his immense promise he must work on his end product and generally show more awareness when on the ball in the final third.
Ibe started Liverpool's first two matches of the season, but failed to make much of an impact besides an encouraging first 30 or so minutes against Bournemouth. He managed to drive forward into good positions on several occasions, but each time he either over-dribbled and was dispossessed or crossed it on the ground to no one in particular.
It's not uncommon for a youngster to get so caught up in his own meteoric rise that he loses the necessary commitment to constant improvement required of any professional footballer. However, Ibe has never seemed like that kind of player. "I think I can play much better than I have done in the two games so far, especially with attacking the full-back," he said. "But with more games, hopefully I will get more confidence and be better in the coming games."
"There is a lot of stuff I need to work on. I need to be chipping in with goals and assists."
Ibe faces more pressure than most players his age, but he's not afraid of the competitive atmosphere around the team and knows that he must work hard in order to keep his spot in the starting eleven.
"There's a lot of competition here and everyone wants to start. You can just see that eagerness in training," he said. "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."
Incessant comparisons to Raheem Sterling, who was sold to Manchester City earlier in the summer, have also put Ibe under the microscope. But Ibe has taken it all in stride rather than creating an extra burden for himself.
"When people talk about me replacing him it just gives me confidence because he is a great player. I aspire to achieve the things Raheem has because we both came up through the Academy."
