This is Liverpool’s year.
The general public has heard these echo annually, making many of us the laughing stock amongst fellow football fans. While the statement currently has no basis in fact, one undeniable truth is that Liverpool possesses a very talented group of youngsters, with many having the potential to step into the first team in the foreseeable future. Liverpool have been developing some fine young players and the youth academy has been fruitful with Raheem Sterling in particular being a revelation last year.
There was a time when the word “depth” at Anfield referred to players such as Suso, the inexperienced 19-year old Spaniard, and fellow academy team-mate Adam Morgan. The barren Liverpool squad was desperate for a winger and Sterling emerged from the abyss to reignite the attack. On many occasions, 17-year-old Sterling was the most potent offensive threat on a team lacking incisiveness. He held the fort until the team was able to bring in reinforcements in the form of Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.
The beautiful game’s yearly show tends to introduce potential stars. This year is no different. Introducing Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe, just 17 years old. He has shown nothing but flashes of brilliance. Ibe started his career at Charlton Athletic at the age of 8. He was cut loose by Charlton 4 years later, deemed “not good enough”. He moved on to Wycombe Wanderers, successfully catching the eye of the first team and making his debut at the age of just 15. He scored the only goal for his team in a 2-1 loss at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
That’s just the kind of individual Ibe is. When he gets an opportunity, he makes himself the center of attention. Oh you narcissistic boy, Ibe.
Liverpool secured his services by transfer and the 16-year old Ibe made his debut during their US tour against Toronto FC. If one could use a word to describe his play that day, it would simply be “guts”. He was a handful to defend against, even though he had occasional problems retaining possession, it was visible that Toronto were wary of the threat that Ibe possesses. While Ibe showed glimpses of his potential, his performance was still quite scrappy.
Ibe’s stock rose dramatically when Brendan Rodgers gave him a place in the starting line up against Queens Park Rangers. Ibe played 63 majestical minutes.
Ibe’s style of play is similar to Sterling’s. He does however possess a form of intimidation that is stronger than Sterling. The low center of gravity, solid core strength, coupled with quick feet are a handful for any defender. His stride is also reminiscent of an Olympic runner when he is sprinting past defenders.
Against QPR, The winger was visible right from the starting whistle. He consistently ran at defenders and created plays. His speed and skill was evident, as was his courage. It was his first Premier League start and he was simply running at defenders like it was just another day at the office. He eventually pulled a rabbit out of a hat in the 20th minute when he cut in from the left wing with the ball, drew 2 defenders to him, and played the ball off to Coutinho. Coutinho scored the only goal of the game and Liverpool won.
If I had to pinpoint Ibe’s strongest skills, it would be his poise and courage. Teenagers trying to break into a first team at the Premiership level always possess strong skills, but when they get their chances, they try to ‘keep it simple’ and not do anything too risky. Ibe is the sort of individual who has the courage to run at any defender and leave an impression. He possesses poise with the ball that reminds defenders to look after him very closely. He is a player who attracts attention from a plethora of defenders all at once. Steven Gerrard did say that Liverpool have one of the best young players in the country in Ibe at his recent testimonial; heady praise indeed.
Youth academies are institutions that teach players the skills needed to be a professional player, but they can’t teach are those intangibles that separate good players from the great ones. From all indications thus far in his young career, Ibe possesses such intangibles in the form of fearlessness and confidence. These are skills that are simply within you, if you’re lucky. Ibe has them in buckets.
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