Ibe on 'friendly' Sterling competition
Jordon Ibe feels that healthy competition with fellow Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling is spurring the pair on as they continue to showcase their impressive talents in pre-season.
The youngsters have sparkled in preparations for the 2013-14 campaign so far; both found the net against Preston North End - and Ibe was instrumental in the build-up to Sterling's strike against an Indonesia XI on Saturday.
As Ibe's stock continues to rise after yet another eye-catching display against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday, the 17-year-old has revealed that Sterling's presence has been highly beneficial.
Ibe told the Liverpool Echo: "Raheem helps me a lot off the pitch.
"He's a good friend. He tells me what I should do and we talk a lot. There's healthy competition there. If he works hard then it makes me want to work hard and if I work hard it makes Raheem work hard.
"We are both young and just starting out in the game. But obviously Raheem has achieved a lot more than me so far.
"He's established in the first-team squad and that's where I'm trying to get to myself. If I keep playing well hopefully I can achieve that."
Having never been abroad with the first-team squad before, Ibe has been given a first taste of Liverpool's overwhelming foreign fanbase when heading out with the rest of Brendan Rodgers' side this summer.
He feels he's reaping the benefits of being involved with the senior side, as he looks to build on the progression he's made in past months.
"It's been an amazing experience for me so far," he added.
"To spend so much time around the senior players has been really great. I'm learning a lot from them. I enjoyed every second of our time in Indonesia and Australia and now I'm looking forward to Thailand. The training has been hard work with double sessions each day but it's been enjoyable.
"In Jakarta, the supporters were so fanatic. From the moment we arrived at the airport, it was just brilliant. They really helped us during the match.
"I had never been to Australia either but to walk out in front of 95,000 fans was a great feeling. I never played cricket when I was at school, I only played rounders so I didn't really know about the MCG's history.
"But we were told about it. What a stadium and the atmosphere was brilliant. Going on a tour like this just shows you how big this club is. There is so much history associated with it."
Ibe was rewarded for impressive U21 performances with a call-up to Rodgers' squad at the end of last season - and he repaid the boss' faith immediately by teeing up Philippe Coutinho for the winner on his senior debut against QPR.
Ibe is revelling in his role within Rodgers' squad and has declared he will do everything he can to kick on and improve further.
"That's the great thing," he concluded.
"You know that if you do well then you will get your rewards. The gaffer is trying to build a new team here and it's exciting. He has given opportunities to a lot of the young players and it's up to us to take them.
"I love this type of one- and two-touch passing football he's got us playing.
"I've just tried to give it my best shot both on the training ground and in the games so far. Hopefully I can keep progressing and take it into the new season."