Ibe On Scoring Goals And Creating Chances

When Jordon Ibe was recalled from his loan spell to Derby County last January, he immediately impressed with the kind of pace and power that Liverpool sought all season.

However, 23 senior Liverpool appearances later, one glaring stat stands out: zero goals. That an attacking player for Liverpool has not scored is not a concern in and of itself--no one on the team has been making the net bulge with any regularity the last 12 months. Still, in an interview with the club's official website, Ibe opened up about his desire to contribute in a much more tangible fashion:

"That has been a key point for me and it's quite frustrating that I've not scored yet, but I don't want to put too much pressure on myself.

"But hopefully it can come sooner rather than later. I just need to keep getting myself in the box and when I have chances in front of goal I need to shoot, whether it's inside or outside the box."

Ibe also spoke about watching Christian Benteke's blistering goal at Old Trafford, and how it fit in with Rodgers' larger plan to take risks in the attacking third.

"You see those goals now and again but you never see it in the flesh like that. It happened quickly - it was phenomenal.

"He is a great player. There might be times that the gaffer will tell me I don't always have to beat the player, sometimes just get the ball, take a touch and put it into the box - he's going to win headers."

Indeed, it was Ibe's partially-cleared cross which set up the large Belgian for the one moment of joy on an otherwise joyless day. If Ibe sees fit to start contributing more goals (and assists), tomorrow in front of the Kop would be as good as any to see the young winger make his mark.