Jordon Ibe was always destined for success at Liverpool, says Joe Allen…
Joe Allen has explained why the immediate impact of Liverpool starlet Jordon Ibe has come as no surprise to the rest of the Reds squad, who always expected the teenager to deliver on his raw talent.
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After enjoying a productive loan spell with Championship high-flyers Derby County during the first-half of the season, Ibe returned to Brendan Rodgers’ side with substitute appearances against Aston Villa and West Ham United.
He was then handed a surprise start in the Merseyside Derby against Everton, proving to be one of the games standout players – hitting the post in the 0-0 draw at Goodison Park.
The 19-year-old followed that up with impressive performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Besiktas, and Allen was full of praise for Ibe’s role in two successive Liverpool victories.
“From the first time I saw him I always knew Jordon had the raw talent to go as far as he wants in the game,” Allen told our official website.
“He has been given his opportunity and he has taken it with both hands, which is great to see and it’s like having a new signing, which has been brilliant for the whole team.
“He was brilliant against Besiktas and he won us the penalty. To take a lead into the second leg is really important and we did everything we could to get the goal.
“I know [the goal] came late but we kept a clean sheet and made sure they didn’t get an away goal, which was an added bonus.”
Allen, 24, has himself worked his way back into first-team contention after injuries to Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva. The Welshman has impressed alongside stand-in captain Jordan Henderson, and is now aiming to help lead his side to success.
“We really have got the talent and we are pushing ourselves to try and win something this season,” Allen added.
“Considering the quite slow start we had I think we have really picked up the pace now and we are building up momentum at the right time in the season.”