Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers Considers Jordon Ibe as an Exciting Talent

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has heaped praise on Jordon Ibe following his brilliant performance during the 2-1 defeat against Brondby in the Reds's first pre-season game.

Trailing 1-0 in the first half, the 18-year-old winger came in as a substitute in the second-half and made an immediate impact on the game. The winger showed immaculate skill and pace to beat rival defenders and laid an assist for Kristoffer Peterson to draw level.

Ibe has made two first-team appearances, one each in the Premier League and Capital One Cup last campaign before joining Birmingham City on loan in February. The England U-19 international had expressed his desire to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot at Anfield, Raheem Sterling.

Rodgers's comments indicate that Ibe could be set for an increased run in the first-team, owing to the rise in the number of fixtures next season.

"It's going to be interesting for me to look at his development over pre-season. You saw tonight that he's a really exciting young player. He's still only 18 years of age. He had a wonderful piece of skill and run for the goal, a good assist. That's something that we're looking to improve in Jordon - to score more goals and assists," Rodgers explained.

"He's disappointed with his first touch when he was through on goal. He's an exciting talent who is very good in the one-v-one and works very hard at his game."

"We give him time; I don't necessarily need young players to be ready at 17 or 18, but certainly by 20 or 21, we want them to be ready."

"He's a different type of player [compared to Sterling], but certainly both players like to beat people and commit defenders."

"They are very aggressive with the ball. It's just looking at the next stage of his development so hopefully he can consistently do that," the 41-year-old said of the former Wycombe Wanderers star.

Liverpool are due to play matches against Preston North End, AS Roma, Olympiakos and Manchester City this month. They also face AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund before kick-starting their Premier League campaign against Southampton at Anfield on Sunday, 17 August.