Ibe keen to keep learning at Liverpool

The 17-year-old made his debut for the first team in the final match of the campaign at home to QPR in May.

He was then given a starting spot in the Reds’ first pre-season friendly at Preston and repaid his manager with the second goal – a strike from the edge of the penalty area – in a 4-0 win.

“I’m just learning from the first-team players and trying to show that until the season starts. Hopefully I can do well,” he said.

“I’m learning a lot, especially with defending. The gaffer is helping me a lot with when I haven’t got the ball, coming to tuck in and watching the full-back and centre-back; knowing what to do when I haven’t got the ball.

“Hopefully I can be consistent and play well, so I can get a chance again in the first team.

“When I play, hopefully I can get a goal and help the squad do well this season.”

Ibe, signed from Wycombe in December 2011 having become their youngest league goalscorer, was involved in pre-season last year.

After some impressive performances for the Under-21s he was introduced to work with the first-team squad.

However, that had not prepared him for what to do when he scored.

“I was waiting for the ball to cross the line; I didn’t have a celebration so I just put my hands in front of my face,” he told LFC TV.

“I was so relieved and I looked at Brendan. I’ve always wanted to score in an important match, especially playing with the first team, so once that went over the line I felt so happy.”

Liverpool head on tour this week with matches in Jakarta, Melbourne and Bangkok.

“It’s very important for a club like Liverpool to travel worldwide and see our supporters,” said Rodgers.

“It’s going to be an exhausting trip but we’ve had a couple of weeks here to get some work in.

“So we’re looking forward to bringing the club and the team over to Asia.”