Ibe: I need to add more goals to my game
Jordon Ibe insists he needs to add more goals and assists to his game as he strives to cement a regular place in the first XI and repay the faith Brendan Rodgers has shown in him.
As the Reds prepare to head to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal in the Monday night clash, the winger is brutally honest to admit where he feels he can improve.
After starting in both of the opening victories over Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth, Liverpool’s No.33 claims there is more to come from him in a red shirt.
“I think I can play much better than I have done in the two games so far, especially with attacking the full-back,” Ibe told the Liverpool Echo.
“But with more games, hopefully I will get more confidence and be better in the coming games.
“There is a lot of stuff I need to work on. I need to be chipping in with goals and assists.
“There’s a lot of competition here and everyone wants to start. You can just see that eagerness in training.
“The gaffer gives a chance to everyone. If you prove yourself in training you will get a chance to play whether you are a senior player or an 18 or 19-year-old boy like myself and Joe Gomez.”
The former Wycombe Wanderers starlet also spoke about his excitement at playing alongside new No.9 Christian Benteke and believes the Belgium international will add an extra dimension to the Reds attack.
He added: “Benteke is definitely a great player and it was great for us to get him.
“For me it’s one aspect of the game I need to learn about - crossing the ball early enough. We’ve got someone in the box who can head it. He’s always going to win the header.
“If I get the ball in early enough I can add assists to my game as well as goals.
“We’ve got more options now with Benteke up there, instead of just maybe passing the ball around. The other team might be really defensive so we can get the ball out to the wings and get it in the box or go through the middle.”
Ibe also revealed why he returned early for training during the summer as he enjoyed some sessions with club legend Kenny Dalglish.
He added: “I spoke to the gaffer and (Academy director) Alex Inglethorpe before last season finished about doing some sessions over the summer.
“I felt it would benefit me. The first day I came in, it was just me and Alex. Then the second day he brought in Kenny Dalglish. It was a surprise for me to be fair.
“I’d seen clips of Kenny on YouTube and when they show the legends on LFCTV. It was great to get advice from someone of his status because he scored all types of goals in his career.
“We worked on shooting and crossing and getting in the areas where the ball might be when the opposite winger is crossing it. I just need to continue doing it.
“Kenny told me to be always positive - taking shots from all around the box and making sure I always get into the box when I haven’t got the ball.
“The fact I haven’t scored my first goal for Liverpool definitely gets on my nerves at times. I might put too much pressure on myself but hopefully it will come in due time.”