Rodgers reveals Ibe path to derby start
The development arc that saw Jordon Ibe make only his third start for Liverpool amid the heat of a Merseyside derby had been carefully mapped out by Brendan Rodgers and his staff.
Ever since making a senior debut on the final day of the 2012-13 campaign, the progress of the precociously talented wide-man has been tracked closely by the Reds manager.
Eye-catching contributions in each of the past two pre-seasons whetted the appetite of fans, who immediately noticed Ibe's brave approach in running at defenders and creating chances.
As he planned ahead last summer, Rodgers felt a period of regular game time would be beneficial for Ibe and so it proved, the Englishman thriving during a loan spell at Championship side Derby County.
But in January it was time for him to return to Anfield and, if his incisive display against Everton on Saturday is anything to go by, the No.33 has come back an even better player.
"Last year was the year where I felt he was training and it was a case of getting him around the first team and top players' mentalities," Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com.
"He is a really good boy - he wants to learn and wants to play for Liverpool, he loves Liverpool. It was just a case of assessing him over the summer; to see if we were going to get him enough game time.
"But I felt he needed experience, just to get six months of experience playing at a good club. He went to a great club at Derby and a very good manager, and he developed very well.
"He has come back and he will play a big part for us between now and the end of the season. He is a big talent and just turned 19, so it's very good."