Jordon Ibe interview: Being a Liverpool fan, Derby success, favourite teammates and more

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Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe talks choosing Liverpool, playing at Derby and working with the best…

Jordon Ibe has revealed that he was once a Chelsea fan – until watching the 2005 Champions League final quickly changed his mind. The 19-year-old has been in fine form for the Reds in recent games, and we’re certainly glad that he chose to play for us over our long-time rivals.

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Liverpool did of course beat the Blues on route to Istanbul, with Luis Garcia’s infamous ‘ghost goal’ the difference between the two sides in the semi-final. We then came from 3-0 down against AC Milan, in a game that needs no introduction, to lift the famous trophy for the fifth time.

Ibe, who was quoted by the Daily Mail, admitted: “Dad was a Liverpool fan.

“Growing up I supported Chelsea a little bit but I’ve been a Liverpool fan since I started watching the games. I watched the Champions League final in the evening. I wasn’t [normally] allowed to stay up but I watched it.”

The wing-back spent the first-half of this season on loan at Championship high-flyers Derby County, with performances playing a big part in fuelling their promotion bid and convincing Kop boss Brendan Rodgers to recall him for his Reds squad.

He made his first start in the Merseyside Derby draw against Everton, and came closer than anyone to breaking the deadlock – hitting the post with one audacious long-range effort.

Speaking about an incredible month in his career, Ibe said: “I am enjoying it and it’s good for the gaffer to get me involved and hopefully I can get a few more chances to play,” says Ibe. “My Dad is proud and the whole family are proud. I enjoyed it at Derby. I made a lot of friends. The team was great and I was playing all the time.

“Steve McClaren is a good manager, definitely a great coach on the training ground. He always helped me and the young players. I enjoyed my time with him. So [when I heard Liverpool wanted me back] I was thinking to myself, “was I going to come back and not play?

“But it was a confidence booster because I had been doing well and he [Rodgers] asked me to come back. It’s given me confidence to join in with the first team and try to prove myself. I have done well and I am enjoying my football.”

The youngster was on song again on Thursday evening, as we beat Besiktas 1-0 in the Europa League – with Ibe winning the decisive penalty. However, the player started life in much humbler surroundings, playing for Wycombe Wanderers.

Describing the early part of his career, he revealed  just why he chose Liverpool: “I thought it was the right time for me to move away from home,” said Ibe.

“I had a trial at Manchester City when I was younger but this was a good choice for me. It was a bit difficult when I was a bit younger but as I was leaving secondary school I thought it was the right choice.

“My family moved up with me and it’s been great ever since. I haven’t been homesick at all and I had education when I was in the youth team, so everything has been cool and I have made friends at the club.”

He was then asked which Liverpool players have most helped his development since making the step up to the first-team. He responded: “I’m learning from the attacking players like Mario [Balotelli], Raheem [Sterling], [Daniel] Sturridge and Coutinho, and I’m trying to add goals to my game and prove to the manager I can keep playing.

“Wing-back is a new position for me but it’s good because I can attack the [opposition] full-back.Raheem has been a really big influence. He has been helping me and we talk off the pitch and he gives me advice.

“He is a year older than me and it gives me a lot of confidence to try and achieve what he has achieved at such a young age. Mario is another person who has helped me on and off the pitch.”

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