Brendan: Still work for 'incredible' Ibe
Brendan Rodgers today balanced praise for Jordon Ibe's Merseyside derby performance with an affirmation that plenty of hard work remains ahead for the talented 19-year-old.
Liverpool's No.33 was handed a start in Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Everton, trusted to exhibit his skillset amid the fierce nature of the rivals' meeting at Goodison Park.
His response was emphatic. Bravery, pace and ambition combined to cause the Blues regular problems, particularly when a thunderous blast from 20 yards bounced off a post.
Ibe has been the subject of plaudits throughout the two days that have followed the goalless draw, with Rodgers among the chorus of voices highlighting his potential.
The Northern Irishman reiterated his excitement for what the youngster could become in the future, though equally pointed out that there is plenty still to learn for the wide-man.
"He is a very, very talented player," the boss commented at a Melwood press conference on Monday. "You saw that in the game, you saw his temperament at the weekend.
"If he was a European player or foreign player, everyone would be raving about him. He's an incredible talent for someone so young and I think he has shown that he can go into any arena in the world and play now.
"He went to Goodison in an Everton-Liverpool derby game and played with that control. He's got great technique and he's very clean with his technique.
"His touch on the ball is soft, he passes it well, he can beat a player and is so smooth. Tactically, he is very, very good for a young player.
"Hopefully that game will fast-track his development, like it has done for a number of our young players here over the last two seasons.
"I would expect big things from him, but there is still a long way to go and a lot to learn for him. But he has come back and hopefully he can be a big influence for us."
Given their similar style of play, comparisons are often drawn between Ibe and Raheem Sterling and suggestions made that the former could follow the progressive path of the latter.
The discussion was raised as Rodgers previewed Liverpool's Tuesday night encounter with Tottenham Hotspur, and the manager took an alternative standpoint.
He explained to reporters inside the training ground: "Each player is different - I don't think you can throw a blanket over him and say that he's the same.
"Raheem has been incredible since he came in, but has still very much got a lot of development to make. Jordon is at an earlier stage and his pathway has been different.
"I felt that he needed to go out on loan, whereas Raheem came straight into the team. The objective over the course of both is to maximise their potential and the investment of the club so that they can play for Liverpool for many years to come.
"Jordon has shown that he has that temperament to play in big games. I know for sure he's got the talent.
"It's the job to make sure they know that they have to continue to improve, that they never get carried away and that's something that we work very hard on here."
Indeed, that mentality is embedded at all levels of the club, from the demands of the first team and elite football to the Academy and the Reds' aspiring young players.
"That was something that we looked to implement when I came in, it was to drip feed those ideas and principles," continued Rodgers.
"I never wanted to make robotic coaches - I wanted the coaches throughout the Academy and first team here to have their own identity.
"But as long as we all agreed and worked to the same principles, that was going to be important for the development of the club.
"If you watch our young teams, if you watch our U16s, they play 3-4-3. If you look at our younger teams throughout the system here, they play in a way that we want them to dominate the ball.
"As they work through the levels, their development is phased through and tapered for the stage they're at in their career.
"But always referenced to being humble and having humility in how you work, which is key. Throughout the football club here, there's a real identity being reborn with the players.
"It makes it easier when they come from the youth and reserve team into the first team. You see that transition with the likes of Jordon and Raheem and all the others."