Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe has revealed that he plans to return from holiday as soon as possible in order to begin preparations for the new season and work on various elements of his game.
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The 19-year-old, who made his Reds debut in 2013, made his first-team breakthrough last season. He featured 14 times in all competitions after returning from a loan spell with Derby County and put in a number of impressive performances. Indeed, he surely would have played more were it not for an injury ruling him out for several weeks.
However, the teenager is determined not to rest on laurels, despite being looked upon by many as an important part of Brendan Rodgers’ squad. He’s told our official website this week that he’s determined to improve on his shooting – more than anything else – and wants to add goals to his game.
Ibe scored five of them during his 24 appearances for Derby, while he’s also netted at a senior level for Wycombe Wanderers and Birmingham City, but he’s determined to get his first goal for Liverpool in the near future.
“I’m hoping this is just the start for me,” said Ibe, who signed a new contract with us last month. “I want to play in lots of games. I’d like to play in the Champions League eventually.
“But I know I’ve got to start chipping in with goals. I realise this season we haven’t scored enough. If you score goals, it’s easier to win matches. And from a personal point of view, if you score goals it’s a lot more difficult for the manager to leave you out.”
On his summer plans, the England U20 international added: “I’ll have a few breaks abroad and recharge the batteries if it’s possible. But I’m coming back in early.
“I’ll be working with Alex Inglethorpe on my shooting. I know I need to improve on every aspect of my game. But I know too that goalscoring gives you confidence. It can lift other parts of your game to new levels.
“I want to give myself every chance of starting next season in form already. I don’t take my position for granted and I certainly don’t consider myself an established first-team player just because I’ve signed a new contract.”