Ibe: What my targets are for next season
Jordon Ibe today expressed his delight at committing his long-term future to Liverpool FC, but insisted: 'I still have a lot of hard work to do.'
The 19-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal with the Reds on Thursday afternoon, capping off an impressive second half to the season after returning from a loan spell with Derby County in January.
Immediately after inking the contract, Ibe sat down with Liverpoolfc.com to talk about what it meant to him to re-sign with the club and outline his hopes and ambitions for next season and beyond.
Jordon, congratulations - how does it feel to have signed a new long-term deal with the club?
I'm over the moon. It's something I've been looking forward to. I've spoken to the gaffer and I'm happy it's over and done with. Now I just want to kick on into next season, as well as the last game of this one.
What's made you decide that your future is here at Liverpool?
Liverpool are a great club and I like the philosophy here. I'm enjoying it - I've just been brought into the first team and I've enjoyed the games I've played in. Hopefully I can just keep doing well at the club.
You must be delighted with the faith Brendan Rodgers has shown in you?
Yes, definitely. I have been given the chance to play quite a few games and I've enjoyed it. As I said, I just want to take that into pre-season and then next season, continuing with how it's been since I've been back here.
Just how important is it to have the confidence the manager has in you?
It's vital to have that confidence, both in my loan spell and since I came back. I just need to see how I do in the new season and take that confidence into the next season along with any new players and the players already here.
What's the boss said to you about what you can potentially achieve here at Liverpool?
He told me to take my time, enjoy the games and learn the new positions I've played in. He's told me to continue what I'm doing and try to add goals to my game.
You mention your loan spell at Derby - how much do you think you've improved as a player since then?
I feel as though I've improved a lot. I scored quite a few goals there and my understanding of the game has improved. Even though I've played in different positions since coming back, it's all been great experience for me, so I think I've improved a lot.
What's the next step for you?
Mainly goals, really, and to do well with the club. But I want to add goals to my game and hopefully score in big games.
Have you thought about targets for the new season, or are you not quite there yet?
To be honest, the number one target for me is to get goals and try to stay in the team. They're the two main goals for me.
It's almost four years since you made your professional debut. In the past few months, you've started in the Europa League, you've started in the Merseyside derby. What's that journey been like?
It's been great. I keep myself humble, but I've enjoyed every game I've played in. It feels weird because I see all the other big players playing in the team, but I'm really loving it. Hopefully I'll have many more games - and many more Merseyside derbies - to play in!
Do you feel like you've got your place now, though?
No, I don't think it's secured yet. I need to keep playing well, getting goals and making the gaffer happy. I've got to help the team win games and then hopefully I can secure it in the new season.
What is the aim? What do you ultimately want to achieve at Liverpool Football Club?
To win medals - that's the number one thing for me. I want to help us get back into the Champions League and try to win that one day. We were close last year to the league title, so that is another aim - as well as the FA Cup.