Ibe fell down the Anfield pecking order last season, and game time this term will be limited.
Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe celebrates scoring their first goal
Liverpool have accepted an offer of £15 million for winger Jordon Ibe, according to various reports including the Liverpool Echo.
Ibe blew hot and cold for much of last season. He didn’t start the campaign particularly well, picked up a little when Jurgen Klopp arrived as manager and then faded again.
That’s not to say he isn’t a good player, the 20-year-old has plenty of attributes that work in his favour. He’s quick, has a decent shot and is well-built. These are qualities that should all be used a lot more as there were times last season when he seemed less and less inclined to beat a man. When he did he looked quite frightening – you only need to look at his goal on the last day of the Premier League season as evidence.
Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe scores their first goal
His other strikes against Rubin Kazan, Southampton and Stoke City were either of fine quality or of importance. But he didn’t do enough to convince Jurgen Klopp. Most of his displays were coming along when the Reds boss made several changes, signalling that he wasn’t in the mind of Klopp when it came to the bigger games.
Not everything has worked in Ibe’s favour. Comparisons with Raheem Sterling, suggesting that Ibe could be better than the man who was sold to Manchester City for £49 million weren’t exactly helpful. He seemed to wilt under the pressure somewhat.
Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe applauds the fans at the end of the match
With no European football next season, and competition for places seemingly hotting up in the wide areas – or behind the main striker – it looks as if Ibe’s game time could be severely restricted at an age where he needs to get some regular first team football under his belt at a high level. Even from the bench, it seemed that Sheyi Ojo was ahead of him in the pecking order.
It’s hard to say he hasn’t had the opportunities at Liverpool either. Just the four goals from 58 games is a poor return in that area of the field. Given the extortionate transfer fees going around this summer, it still is something of a surprise that £15 million has been put on the table. The Reds would be made not to accept it for a player that isn’t going to get a look in next season.
At Bournemouth he is more likely to play every week and could become one of their more important players and a chance to fulfill whatever potential is there. It was hard to see how he could progress on Merseyside.
Liverpool’s Jordon Ibe in action with West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate
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