15 Jan 2015

Done Deal: 'Exciting' attacker who 'fits' LFC's 'model of play' signs in at Anfield after superb loan spell

As expected, Liverpool have recalled Jordan Ibe from his productive loan spell with Derby County, which probably means that there won't be any attacking midfield signings during the current transfer window.

Speaking to reporters on New Year's day, Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo:

"We could bring him [Ibe] back in January, and if we do, it will be to contribute. In the game against Leeds on Tuesday, he was so exciting. He fits into our model of play"

Liverpool posted an official statement this afternoon confirming the recall, part of which stated:

"Ibe now returns to Melwood and becomes available for immediate selection with the Reds, who tackle Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday".

If Ibe doesn't make the squad for the Aston Villa game then Rodgers will deserves all the criticism that'll inevitably come his way.

* Ibe is fit, and played regularly for Derby, so there's to leave him hanging over the next few weeks.

* How will Ibe get playing time when Daniel Sturridge returns to the fold?

* If Rodgers persists with a front-three, then Sturridge and Sterling will inevitably start, leaving Ibe to battle it out with Lallana, Coutinho, and Markovic.

* What are the chances that Rodgers will select Ibe regularly over those three?

It's good to see another young player (seemingly) getting a chance, and Ibe is basically like a new signing for Reds. That said, I still don't see the compelling need for Liverpool to bring an untested 19-year into a struggling squad.

The Reds already rely too much on 20-year old Sterling, and the last thing Ibe needs is massive pressure on his shoulders to try and rescue the LFC's faltering Premier League campaign.

On a related note: is it possible that Rodgers is planning to convert Sterling into a striker on a permanent basis? If so, then his plan is to probably replace Sterling out wide with Ibe, which seems to makes sense.

Author:


137 comments:

  1. Sturridge
    Ibe/Sterling Couts/Lallana Marko/Sterling
    Hendo. Can.
    Moreno. Sakho. Skrtel Flanno
    Ryan?
    Yes please.

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  2. Guessed this was about Ibe before I clicked, another mis....... headline, can't see the point really, he was always coming back now ;)

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  3. Or criticising Rodgers for not including Ibe in a game in two days is just bonkers and Bolton makes far more sense especially as he has done quite well against then while at Derby. It could also be argued that being the form team in the league we are less struggling and finding form which is the right circumstance to bring the player in. Sturridge won't be ready to play for a while and we have cup games coming so we are playing every three to four days until the end of the month and will be again next month once we are in the Europa.

    Converting Sterling to a striker does seem likely though.

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  4. Yes but he has not played for us. Has he been playing in a 3421 formation at Derby? No. Has he been playing or even training with our team? Including the new players? No. Will Rodgers have been going over the tactical game for the last few days? Yes. Was Ibe there? No. Sterling can answer yes to most of those questions. Ibe will play for us but not at Villa. Thinking he has to be in the squad makes no sense and seems more like you just gearing up for another article.

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  5. I really hope we play Balo and Sturridge up-front together, I can imagine them being a great duo together. That being said, Sterling should not play striker. Doesn't have the finishing or mindset of one.

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  6. Good points. It could go either way and BR is in a better position to make the decision. I would not be surprised to see him on the bench for Villa but equally would understand if he was not .

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  7. None of the players in the current squad had been utilised in a 343 either prior to Rodgers instituting it. All the questions you've asked and answered are (IMO) irrelevant. Ibe is a fully match-fit footballer whose been pulled away from a successful loan spell with the promise of being able to 'contribute'. He should be included in the squad. The official site statement even explicitly states that he is 'available for immediate selection'. Why then would he not be immediately selected?

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  8. Do you have to be born a striker then?

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  9. Does Balo have the finishing or mindset of a striker?

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  10. My God, the drama. We can't sign ALL the players you know? We signed Suarez for a great price. Coutinho. Sturridge. All great players, at great value. Its very easy to play captain hindsight, and say "Liverpool should have signed him..and him" etc. But the unequivocal reality is - every club signs bad players, every club misses out on players. You can try to demand unrealistic perfection if you wish but you'll be disappointed more often than not im afraid.

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  11. No. Not at all. But if you watch Sterling, he's never in the box. He always just dribbles from outside and crosses it in. He's much more purely carved as winger, and should stay as one. If you look at someone of similar age but playing striker, look at Berahino. He can finish with ease and is just prolific in the box. I haven't seen Sterling show any of those signs yet.

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  12. I've given it some thought and I believe it's the right thing to do. Initially I felt it was a poor, defensive move. Ibe was developing well at Derby and getting lots of exposure, and taking the limelight in a promotion push would be great for his development. We need winners, and it's been great watching Ibe get confidence in an environment where he can afford to make mistakes -- and he makes plenty. I feel sorry for Derby, too, since they've played an important role in getting him to this point, and he's the kind of player every side with ambition needs -- creative, pacy, aggressive.

    I was also worried that coming back in, now, would create unrealistic expectations around Ibe. But then, if you put that to him or Rodgers, you can imagine them looking at you a bit funny. This is what Ibe has been working for: this is his big break, his first shot at a match-day role with Liverpool. This is what his life so far has been working towards. He's in form, he has momentum. This isn't the time to protect him, it's the time to risk him.

    It also sends a good signal to the other youngsters on loan: excel and we're watching, we'll bring you back in and you'll get a chance. And let's not mess around: we need form players right now. Because Ibe will certainly get games. Liverpool are in 4 competitions, a lot of football to be played in February, and we have the ridiculous two-legged semi coming up as well. Overall I think this is a good moment to bring him home, and I hope Origi follows. This could really inject some life and energy into our season: it could be a masterstroke...

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  13. It doesn't matter if they had played it before as they would have been training in that formation before the change. Did you think he just swaps it like it is fifa without any preparation? You may think the points are irrelevant but they are not. There are other fully fit footballers who ARE prepared to play in our new system. He WILL be included in the squad but that game may be too soon. I can't see why on earth that would be any kind of a problem. Why would he not be included. Well I gave a bunch of reasons but they don't fit what you previously thought so you are just going to ignore them. End of discussion I suppose.

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  14. We really only need 1 signing per row in your formation except AM. A good solid backup/competition striker, a strong CM/DM, a composed RCB, and of course a new GK.

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  15. It makes perfect sense to bring him back.....he has the same problem as Sterling....its January and he has started 20 league games alone for Derby....if he stayed there he could have ended up playing 40 matches by the end of the season and he is a year younger than Sterling....if he comes back now and gives us a good option from the bench and starts the occasional game, he will still have got 30-35 appearances in competitive games this season, which if you are worried about how much Sterling has played, is perfectly adequate for a player a little further back than Raheem in his development. Plus it gives him a chance to reintegrate into the team. He will get chances too....Markovic will be playing at wing back for a bit after his recent performances there, and Coutinho can also play in midfield so I see Ibe interchanging with Sterling and that takes the pressure off both.

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  16. Well he won't be able to show if he has the attributes to be a striker if he only plays as a winger.

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  17. Excellent points, I hadn't thought of that.

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  18. If we bring Ibe back and he's not playing either Saturday, or early next week against Chelsea then someone has some serious explaining to do.


    I completely agree, JK.

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  19. Agreed...


    He doesn't have to be playing every game for us. But he needs to be playing on a relatively consistent basis.

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  20. Well not quite completely, almost completely .-)

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  21. No but he has definitely proven that he has the potential to. He just needs to vastly improve his attitude. And you can't judge him on most of his performances when Sturridge wasn't there, because with Danny is where he plays his best. He wouldn't be constantly called world class if he didn't have any ability at all.

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  22. I haven't ignored your reasons; I just don't agree with them. I don't think they're relevant, and I stated that. Get over it.

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  23. He's been played striker nearly all of our last few games. He still does the same thing. Keeping him as a winger is the safest bet, he just doesn't have many striker qualities except for pace and dribbling.

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  24. Because if we didn't bring him back to play, then there wasn't any point in bringing him back.


    He was playing consistently while on loan.


    If he's not going to play consistently here, then why bring him back?


    Furthermore, with 4 games in about 10 days, if he's not playing in one of the first two, then that tells me he's not going to be playing consistently here unless someone gets injured.

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  25. Well if he had the instincts and finsihing of a striker he could have scored a couple of goals by now at least and be able to play up top alone. Something Sterling did a much better job of.

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  26. Perfect logic.


    If a player is recalled to a team who he's never really played with, he is expected to completely adapt to their style of play, blend with the team, learn a new formation, and beat out any competition in 2 days.

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  27. I'll be mad if he doesn't play, period. But if Ibe doesn't play the games against Villa and Chelsea, I would be perfectly fine with that. He needs time to adjust to his new squad (2 days is hardly enough...give him a week) and Chelsea is top opposition... I would be surprised if he would perform better than the older players vs. Chelsea.

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  28. What has that got to do with the next two games? I think the Bolton game is a perfect game to start him. Why would there need to be answered questions if he doesn't play in a game in two days without adequate training and preparation or a game against the league leaders?

    I am not suggesting he shouldn't get games. He needs them but It's silly to say it should be in the next two. I don't see the logic in it. Can you explain?

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  29. Exactly my point. Bonkers.

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  30. He does not need to be playing every week...he has played 20 league matches for Derby and he is one of the first names on the teamsheet

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  31. He has gotten in the box plenty of times mate.

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  32. ikr. JK seems to be stirring things up a bit...

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  33. Funny how often you say get over it.

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  34. Yeah he dangled the bait and now I am in the keep net.

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  35. It's not 'perfect logic'. If what you describe is the case, then just bring Ibe back in the summer when he can adapt to the team/tactics in the non-competitive environment of pre-season. Where's the burning need to break a successful loan spell right now?

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  36. Yeah, but it wasn't BR who made the decision to sign Suarez. And apart from all those other terrible transfers, Coutinho and Sturridge were the only ones who have proven what they were bought for. I'd say about 9/10 of BR's transfers are fails. That's not a good sign, and what's even worse is the amount of players we've missed out on. Not only that, but it's because BR doesn't mean shit to anyone. Simeone, Mourinho, Wenger, LVG. They DO mean something. To be honest, I'll cry rivers of joy if Pjanic get's signed, because it's the biggest player that would join us since a while.

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  37. ...which would end up with him playing more matches than he needs to....he shouldnt be playing more than 30 games this season for me and he would likely played 40 odd for Derby (maybe close to 50 if they were in the play offs) and that is too much...he has gone out and got good experience but needs protecting....see how he does this season with us and then maybe keep in the first team or loan him in the prem next season for the next stage of development (like we are doing with Wisdom)

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  38. I'm not saying that the decision to break the loan spell was the correct one. Honestly, I would've liked to Ibe see out his loan.


    But that's completely irrelevant. The fact is, he's been recalled regardless.


    Now, if what I said above is the case, you note he should've just waited till the summer when we had time. Why do the expectations change, now that he's been brought back early? If anything, we should give him more time...

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  39. I tell you what though -- he played better against Chelsea for Derby in the cup than any of our players managed against them in the league... take a look at his personal highlights on You Tube. Might be tempting to give him another shot at them...

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  40. Yes, and he's also scored 4 goals in 20 games.

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  41. Lets put it this way. I HOPE he can come in and instantly make an impact. In fact, I believe has every ability to and am praying to see him on the pitch sooner rather than later.


    However, I don't EXPECT him too.

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  42. He still has that special something IMO. I think if we let him go to Juventus we might regret it. Keep him until the end of the summer and then choose whether he deserves to stay or not.

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  43. He's taking up space on the bench that someone valuable could occupy.

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  44. I'm not saying sell now but in comparing the two non strikers I would say Sterling has done better.

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  45. Well, that kinda throws a wrench into that plan. But it still doesn't mean he should play any sooner.

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  46. Simple for me, he is bang in form, has ambitions to get a 1st team place with us. therefore bring him back into the fold. Him Markovic/Sterling/Coutinho/Lallana will keep each other on their toes giving a healthy competition for places. If we are not going to buy another striker bring Origi over as well, with Studge getting fit we will have a decent bench and options, Still in four comps plenty of opportunities to play and undoubtedly there will be another injury blow or two.

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  47. Cup tied in both the League Cup and FA cup.

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  48. Ahh sh!te.

    Perhaps second leg Chelsea then. I honestly wouldn't mind if it was West Ham. I don't think it makes sense the author suggesting we should't pile pressure on this lad but then say he has to play or be in the squad again the very next opposition. That makes no sense. Bringing him in gently would surely be the least pressurised way to do things.

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  49. Cup tied in league cup too

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  50. Fine. I have no problem him not being about until West Ham. Get him up to speed. We will need some rotation by then at least.

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  51. Yeah just found out. That's sound though, play him against West Ham. We will be on our fifth game in two weeks by that point and will need fresh legs. He will know what position or positions we need him to play and he will have watched others in that position as well as trained with the team and manager.

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  52. Think he could be a little ace up our sleeve between now and end of season....we have some good pacy options to worry teams between now and end of season.

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  53. Four goals and four assists that is an average of a goal or assist every five games. Balo is averaging a goal and assist every infinite number of games.


    Check and mate ;p

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  54. I don't get the animosity toward Bony/City on this one. He signed for a club fighting for the Premier League title. Still playing in the Champion's League this season and looking odds on to play in the CL next season as well.

    I think Liverpool fans are just upset that FSG doesn't have the sack to do what is necessary to improve their first team. If you go bargain shopping, you'll occasionally get a gem like Suarez, but more often than not, you'll end up with players like Lambert.

    You can't blame City for doing what is necessary in the transfer market to meet their ambitions as a club.

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  55. Studge up top with Ibe and Sterling out wide would be a very formidable English frontline. All 3 are very quick and skilful and with a midfield trio from Gerrard/Can/Lucas/Henderson/Lallana/Coutinho there is plenty of movement for these players to create chances. All we need is a competent keeper to calm the back 4 and CL place is realistic. We can even return to diamond with Balotelli/Sterling up top with Sturridge and Sterling/Coutinho/Lallana in the hole.

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  56. Ibe has played quite a lot of games off the bench and been substituted early a number of times he is not ready to make a valuable contribution to Liverpool yet.
    Leave him at Derby for the rest of the season to continue his development lately we have had Ojo and Rossiter on the bench they never got a minute there is no point letting him rot on the bench.

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  57. I think the Sterling striker theory will prove correct. Liverpool now need someone to play wide right and Ibe can fill that role.

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  58. With all due respect Ibe is more advanced physically. & closer to team selection than Ojo & Rossiter.

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  59. Options options options!! All good with me, would like another top class striker in though but if goals get shared around fine with me until the summer.

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  60. Well consider this would you expect someone anyone in the championship who is not amongst his sides better players to star at Liverpool.

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  61. Does he want to stay at Derby to develop?? Bet he wants to come back train with better players and compete for a 1st team place. Healthy competition for places, should be the case at all top clubs, pushing each other to perform better.

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  62. In my mind the context to bringing Ibe back for team selection is based on last season as well as his performance for Derby. Last season he showed real agression which was why a lot of people including me was very surprised about loaning him this season.

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  63. Who is he going to replace in Liverpools side?

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  64. I dont think he is good enough yet not to say he wont be but its easy to over rate our juniors we have done it forever.

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  65. Well because you take that from him not playing in those two games that doesn't mean it is true. Personally I think it would be remiss of the manager to plonk him in so soon. It would look desperate to me and without proper preparation would not be good for Ibe's confidence. I also don't want him to be just sitting in the stands and if he doesn't play I will be as disappointed as anyone but after two games making that assumption is just knee jerkism in my opinion.

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  66. Or maybe just give him a week training with the team to get reacquainted before unnecessarily launching him straight into the team. Makes sense to me. It's certainly not a problem and I'll be surprised if there are many fans who have a problem with him not playing in the first game he's eligible for

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  67. Sterling will be rested now and again, Markovic,Lallana and even Coutinho might be rotated now and again, Different formation for games and even coming on to change games as an impact sub with tiring opposition legs. Don't see the problem with it if the kids up for the challenge.

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  68. He's going to need a lot of extra practice on the training field

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  69. That's your opinion, I think he is so much so I think we could gave saved ourselves £20mill & left Markovic alone! Physically he's built like a mini tank, pace wise he's frightening. The only thing he lacks us experience. There's enough games this season to bring the lad on further.

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  70. Leave him where he is the further they go into the cups the less chance of him playing.

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  71. Learn off the Studge he will.... about being good striker not being injured!! Balo might even get his act together with DS back

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  72. We will see i dont forget how great Pacheco and many others were where is he now?

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  73. Mate, he will destroy most of the players he goes up against in the Premier League. His instant pace and ability to beat a man with a trick from a standing start are incredible.

    But they don't even have to be. Premier League defenders are mostly poor at the moment anyway. Think about this. Quite a
    few current premier league defenders either were in the last few seasons, or will be in the next
    few seasons, championship defenders. They are no better or worse than the players Ibe has been violating for the last three months.

    Anyway he's quality. Watch him immolating Azpulicueta, Fabregas, and the rest, in the cup. He is outrageous. Reminds me of the original Ronaldo with his exaggerated head movement when he drops his shoulder. If only he had the finishing, the movement, the big game temperament, the athleticism and the creativity as well.

    Uh, where was I going with this?

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  74. I'm glad we have Marko as well as Ibe, Both great potential.

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  75. Tedious excuses. You can get quite petulant when someone disagrees with you can't you. No doubt this will be deleted but I am sure you can answer anyway. What if we both need him but he needs some time? Which seems absolutely obvious to me. We are playing five games in two weeks. We will need rotation. Especially of our faster players. But throwing a lad in with no preparation would be negligent. It would heap pressure on him and it is not necessary as we have players playing well at the moment. You haven't once talked about my points as you don't have any logical argument. So it's tedious. Why because it is not what you think? Try engaging if you can? Although I see someone was banned for suggesting you can't engage with intelligent and logical questioning. What blasphemy to suggest such a thing. Ban away son.

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  76. We all know he has the pace, but is movement is pretty good too. He just needs to work on composure. Once that's sorted, he'll make right decisions and finish more successfully

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  77. Thats ok to say Robo but at the moment the fact is he is an average championship player and the reason he was loaned is he wasnt ready.
    He still isnt and as ive stated before thats not to say in the future he wont be.

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  78. Hmm, what tactical instructions does Ibe need anyway? Pele's tactical masterplan in Escape to Victory comes to mind...

    Hmm so far in the last ten minutes I've compared Ibe to Ronaldo the First, and Pele. Maybe time to take a break from the PC...

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  79. Agreed, he got into those natural striker positions against Utd so well and has shown its in his locker since then. Composure the key...or just pass to Studge!

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  80. Can't I dream a little longer? The day I stop getting overexcited about pacy young prospects is the day I give up on football forever!

    Sigh. Even so I know you're right... you monster.

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  81. Sorry mate i am used to disappointment i suppose, i genuinely think he is a real prospect just not yet.

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  82. I can't get over the number of times he says "get over it" either ;-)

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  83. Its EASY just send Stirling to Derby so HE can learn how to play

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  84. Or send Derby to Stirling.

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  85. I don't see what Terence Trent Derby could learn from Stirling Moss, he's a singer not a part time formula one driver and moustache model.

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  86. And all of a sudden Torres is looking like a world beater again. Had a feeling he'd start off well there. Maybe it could have been the same with us...

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  87. Lets wait and see 1 swallow doesnt make a summer.

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  88. Everyone needs a hobby.

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  89. It's more than he's done in his entire last 2 years

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  90. Tells ya how bad he has been.

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  91. It would make my summer!

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  92. Not that you've got high expectations for the lad...

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  93. I know what you did last summer

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  94. You dont have summer in England just an extra winter thats slightly bearable.

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  95. We are fortunate enough to have 4 seasons. Unfortunately they often occur on the same day.

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  96. As Kylie would say " I should be so lucky"

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  97. Ibe is a far better FOOTBALLER than Stirling, So why not just swap them ? That way Stirling will (might) learn how to play.

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  98. How long have you been a supporter?

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  99. I'm new to making comments on here or at all, Just want to throw this spanner I'm the works.
    I would chuck Ibe up front, he has confidence and more ability than borini, he's fit enough to close player's down and he's a better finisher than sterling. Play sterling in AM where he is better, Ibe can develop into a player that battles for sturridge's place when he's back.

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  100. GREG== STIRLING should make way if he is tired hahaha

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  101. Who is this Stir ling sounds like a mad fish?

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  102. I wonder if a young player at a Championship club finding good form would be expected to be used that way. The manager is obviously making good decisions and perhaps Ibe is a player for certain situations only. If it's not working tactically then he's taken off or not used. I wouldn't take that as a question mark on his ability to contribute, more that he's got a specific set of skills that don't always fit what the team needs. It can be the same at Liverpool. I expect him to take a few weeks at training before being used as a sub in the PL and perhaps a starter in the two cup competitions he's eligible for. When Liverpool need an energetic wide player to replace Markovic, Lallana or Sterling then Ibe is a great option to have, I fully expect him to see time on the pitch.

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  103. That is ok to say but that says to me he lacks tactical awareness and versatility look you and i both know any game time would be limited.
    BR had a reputation for giving the young players a chance that no longer exists in my eyes, it may be the fact that because he is limited at Derby should make him push on to be a more well rounded player.
    We bought Pacheco back from Norwich and his game went no where he rotted not good enough probably, but it did stunt his development.

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  104. The squad immediately has a stronger look to it. I hope during his loan spell he learnt to look up for options instead of burying his head and being selfish.

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  105. Absolutely agree. Derby have done well over this season so far which would hopefully be developing a winning mentality into him, why not let that continue with a promotion chasing team.
    I think he can be a great example that our academy can produce exiting players on a fairly consistent basis, either he comes back to us a more rounded player with a great experience of really pushing for something right till the end of the season, or we reluctantly sell him for an easy to imagine 5m+ fee. Either way it shows the financial importance of the academy development system to produce either players on low wages that can be sold for comparatively big profits or developed into the first team like Sterling, just imagine what he would have cost overall if we bought him last summer.
    Long term I'd love to see the academy funded on an equal basis with transfers. We could have a larger proportion of players in the first team developed at the club over the years with the experience that brings and be able to consistently focus larger amounts of the transfer kitty onto fewer better quality targets. Maybe equal basis is a bit of a stretch of the imagination but I think it would make business and football sense

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  106. looks like it's u missing the point, why does the snide writer write 'mercenary' it's clear he'd be a bigger merc signing for liverpool as he ain't there for the trophies if he does is he? So what else would he sign for? get that do we?



    another point you can't seem to grasp is if Liverpool were stupid enough to sign caroll for £35m why would they not consider signing a much better and his past and goals prove it player at a much lesser price. And it's me who missed your point, deary me lol

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  107. That said,'He'doesn't see the compelling need to bring a 19 year old into a struggling squad !

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  108. Lacazette did exactly that, converting from a winger to a number 9 and finished that season really well, he's then gone on to have a stormer this season. If Sterling learns how to finish, which he should be able to do considering he's still only 20, we'll have a devastating player to play along Sturridge. He's had 20 shots on target in 20 games in the league and the 4 he's scored have come from inside the box, so I think he's showing signs that he could play there effectively given a bit more time.

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  109. All from inside the box

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  110. He's fairly strong too

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  111. Fredom of speach gone1:34 am, January 16, 2015

    I think it's you missing the point.

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  112. Good to see Ibe back instead of getting in panic buys. I can see him causing a lot of damage on the wing in the way Zaha does for Crystal Palace.

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  113. I know...I'm spinning around...

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  114. Deserves criticism is Ibe doesnt start? Lol thats why BR gets paid the big bucks to make big calls and you get paid to complain about them

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  115. Liverpool didn't sign Bony because he would have rotted on the bench just like Aspas. Perhaps he would have played a bit more than the Spaniard, but in the end once Suarez and Sturridge established themselves no one else was ever going to get a look-in. I don't see that signing Bony as third choice striker would have been right. He went to Swansea and played basically every game he's been available for.

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  116. Cant agree more with the fact he has to be in the squad against villa id even argue that he should come on as a sub depending on the situation of course...we have struggled all season maybe a fresh player will liven things up a bit I just dont see why his good spell at derby would be ended if he wasnt gonna make the squad....if thats the case just leave the young man at derby for the experience and game time

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  117. Bringing Ibe back 'to contribute' doesn't necessarily mean that he'll feature in our match against Villa. Of late we've hit some form, what would be th point of disrupting that by introducing new players like Ibe, chucking him into the squad to appease those who want to criticise the manager if we lose and Ibe doesn't feature. Please note that I am not pointing fingers at you, Jamie, but as we know there's a thin line between good and bad decisions. Take the Sunderland game for example. The fact that we won meant that there was less criticism of Rodgers and his decision to let Sterling have some time off, but had we lost... phrases like 'clueless Rodgers lets best player get a suntan' or less flattering, more linguistically colourful ones would likely be used. Ibe could very well feature either off the bench or as a starter, or rotated in the upcoming games alongside the likes of Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana, and Markovic. We seem to have some variation in attack and hopefully with players coming back from injury we can have more options contributing to a better second half of the campaign.

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  118. He cant even dribble. Only from the mouth.

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  119. I'm so split on this one. I live in Derby so hear a lot about Ibe which is all positive, so my 1st instinct is to keep him at Derby and hopefully get them promoted, would give him massive confidence knowing that he played a massive part in that.


    However, I get sick and tired of us loaning out players and then never seeing them in a red shirt, while we keep buying more and more similar players, so Ibe fact that is coming back is refreshing.


    I agree that he needs to be in the squad sooner rather than later, but I don't see the rush for the Villa game, great if he is, but no slight on Rogers if he doesn't.


    I also don't see how our season is faltering. We had a poor start, as some players didn't settle as we expected and some of the new signings were hit with injury very early on, however of late we have started to play better, get results and being only 6 points off 3rd doesn't spell the end of the world, although is a tall ask as there are about 6 teams fighting for 2 places.


    YNWA!!

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  120. Ryan definitely. He is a hell of a keeper and so composed on the ball

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  121. And I know more than you about football as I am not easily brain washed like many people seem to be, I make my own mind up, Only if you would just watched and see what he does in a game you will see that he contributes nothing

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  122. Maybe that's true but what does he do when he gets there ? nothing

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  123. ForceMajeureCityManchester10:40 am, January 16, 2015

    £25m + performance/success related add-ons to a max of £28m represents excellent value for City. £25m is well below the market rate for somebody who has been the 4th or 5th most prolific striker in Europe over the last year to eighteen months. He's only just turned 26 too so it's not like we won't be able to sell him in future if he doesn't quote fit in.

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