Jordon Ibe talks international future, eclipsing Raheem Sterling and training with a legend

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Liverpool starlet Jordon Ibe has admitted that he remains undecided on his international future, amidst interest from both England – who are set to offer him an Under-21 call up next week – and Nigeria.

According to the Telegraph, U21 boss Gareth Southgate is eyeing up both Ibe and Liverpool teammate Joe Gomez, but with Jordon also eligible to play for the African giants through his farther, he faces a battle to make that happen.

“I have not spoken to the gaffer about it yet, or my parents. I don’t know if there is a timeline for a decision,” Ibe said. “I have been focused on getting myself in the Liverpool team.”

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The 19-year-old has indeed been working hard to prove that he deserves a place in Brendan Rodgers’ plans and, after impressing during pre-season, he has since started both of our first two Premier League games.

Ibe was so determined to earn his chance that he rejected the chance to go on holiday during the summer break and instead remained on Merseyside, where he enjoyed one-on-one coaching sessions with Kenny Dalglish.

Dalglish was, of course, the man who signed Ibe for Liverpool back in 2012 and our former boss clearly feels that he has an invested interest in seeing the teenager succeed.

“It was a surprise for me to be fair,” said Ibe, who told The Telegraph about the experience. “We just did some training, shooting and crossing and getting in the areas where the ball might be.

“Kenny just told me to be always positive, taking shots all around the box and making sure I always get into the box when I haven’t got the ball.”

Ibe was also about the possibility of him taking the place of Raheem Sterling, who rose through the ranks to become an important player for the Reds, before leaving for Manchester City this summer.

“I aspire to achieve the things he has because we both came up through the Academy,” Ibe agreed.

However, he is fully concentrated on doing himself justice first of all. And, most importantly, scoring his first competitive goal for the Reds: “It definitely gets on my nerves at times,” he said of his current drought. “I put pressure on myself but hopefully it will come.”

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