“I put big demands on players and sometimes that takes a bit of time to get used to.”
– Brendan Rodgers, April 2013
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ON Wednesday night, I was on a flight from Frankfurt to Johannesburg. Translation: Just over 10 hours of manoeuvring your body to locate maximum comfort, only to continuously find the opposite. Long-haul journeys can be the worst. They’re even more painful if a fellow passenger spots you reading a Liverpool book and decides to tell you everything that is wrong with Jordon Ibe.
19-year-old Jordon Ibe. Who was born when Mariah Carey was still in a sweet, sweet Fantasy and Coolio was living minute-after-minute, hour-after-hour in Gangsta’s Paradise. Three games in, and suddenly the winger is no longer one for the future — he’s now exceeded his level. Dismantling a career, one that it is only in its infancy, with just over 270 minutes of the season played, is more ridiculous than anything Mario Balotelli has ever done. And he’s done some mad, mad stuff.
“He just hasn’t got it.”
“He’s been found out.”
“He’s no Raheem Sterling”
The British traveller wasn’t isolated in his thoughts. I’ve seen and heard it on loop. Twitter, phone-ins, articles, Facebook, some of my friends, and possibly even from you…
But we have to resist the urge to soak in short-termism and practice patience. Ibe has not enjoyed the all-action start to the season we may have envisaged, but we need to assess this in context. Against Stoke at the Britannia, Liverpool were understandably risk-averse. The fearlessness of Ibe’s game was not the asset for that encounter, defensive organisation and solidity was. That was a fight — and he committed the most fouls as well as drew the most.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwZhWXZnvpA
Then at Bournemouth, he was switched to the left flank. Again, the club’s steel and not style was the answer. Ibe’s role at Anfield against Eddie Howe’s men was to be the supporting act to Joe Gomez. But the encounter led to heightened criticism of not just the youngster, but Adam Lallana too, yet the England international’s defensive shift was tireless: he completed the most tackles for Liverpool, was among the top contributors for clearances and that of the headed variety. He also succeeded with the most take-ons.
On Monday night, Ibe was introduced with Liverpool against the ropes and Arsenal hitting as hard as Mike Tyson. It wasn’t his ball or ours, it was theirs. He looked lost. He’s not used to that.
Interestingly, Roberto Firmino created the most chances and completed the most take-ons at the Emirates, but he was also neither here nor there at times — especially defensively. We’re willing to be patient with the Brazilian, and we should offer Ibe the same courtesy, perhaps even more so considering his age and where he is in his football development.
The opening games have not killed Ibe — they have strengthened his knowledge of operating under different instructions and approaches. Brendan Rodgers is demanding more than ever from him, along with the rest of the squad, and the teenager is dealing with the changes. As the manager himself has admitted, the understanding of what is required takes time.
There’s a culture of obsessing over faults rather than promoting the encouraging, and it’s crippling. After the draw with Arsenal, I had tweeted a selection of Gomez’s stats. He recovered the ball 11 times, made five interceptions and the joint-most tackles. He is 18, playing out of position in his debut Premier League campaign, and he is the dog’s bollocks. All that and a bag of potato crisps.
In response to that tweet, I was told he ball watches, had poor passing accuracy and ‘made an error.’ The KID was a standout performer as Liverpool picked up another important away point against a side that smashed them in 2014-15, and constantly has them bent over at the Emirates. He did exactly what his manager asked of him, and threw in extra for laughs. If you didn’t appreciate his display, and you’re looking for what he didn’t execute, you’re failing at this enjoying football thing.
Young players tend to have a drop off as part of their development. We can’t want to be big on youth, and then enlarge their every inconsistency and mistake.
By extension, we can’t implore the club to sign players, and then refuse to accept there will be a settling-in period. We can’t wonder why some aren’t being picked, then kick off at the truth. We can’t want Liverpool to focus on excellence, and then get annoyed when they actually do. We can’t let our own misgivings about — let’s use Dejan Lovren for example — cloud our assessments.
Sometimes what we see isn’t the whole picture, and we’ve got to remember that when the paint brush is in our hands. Different strokes for different folks and all that, but essentially, we should all want the same thing.
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Pics: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo
Very well put Melissa . The expectations on our young players is astonishing at times as is the constant picking out the small negatives rather than the larger positives. How could anyone criticise Gomez after a wonderful display. As for Ibe , who knows he may not become the player we desire him to be but we as fans won’t help if we are on his back . The number of first class games they have both played is astonishingly low and yet our expectations are so high. Give these boys a break
He’s a kid, he’ll have good games and bad games and we supporters should remember that. He hasn’t been helped by the Sterling comparisons, that’s for sure.
‘Almost’ everyone thinks Ibe has the potential to be a brilliant player.
There’s a couple of issues on this subject though, for me.
First, if he’s played and not done well we should have the right to say so regardless of his circumstances and provided it’s not malicious or ridiculous.
Secondly, I’ve been critical of his selection recently but it’s not criticism of him. It’s criticism of Rodgers a) for selecting him and b) because I wonder what instructions he’s being given. Again, I think it’s reasonable to say that of Rodgers as part of general discussion. Ok, we’ve got one or two injuires, but I’m not convinced he’s ready to be a first 13 team player (if that makes sense). I’d rather see him eased in a little more gradually. I’m no expert but he doesn’t seem to playing naturally. As I said, I wonder what he’s being asked to do.
The problem with all this is he must see and hear what people say which again, is why I feel it’s down to Rodgers to manage him better. All of the above is only a gut feeling and you know what will happen, he’ll start against West Ham and get a hat trick. Football’s like that, it’s up and down and it’s the same for the fans. One minute we’re right and the next we’re completely wrong. It’s part of the fun and the obsession with following Liverpool. I wouldn’t call it constructive criticism because nothing good can come from the majority of the fans opinions but I do think we could refer to it as natural criticism.
At the moment he is not worth his place and Liverpool can’t keep trying to play him in to form. I would agree he needs better handling
Gomez worries me. He’s absolutely boss, don’t get me wrong – plays like someones made up an 18 year old on FIFA and given him top stats for everything…
But. If he starts to make some costly errors & playing below the massively high bar he’s just set himself (and he will – no matter how unbelievable he seems right now) will some fans turn on him too? We have a young team. It’s exciting, but it’s got it’s down-sides too and we need to have much more patience for the inconsistencies of young players like Joe and Jordan.
In defence of these over-critical people, it is so easy to forget how young these lads are!
I think if you’re starting for Liverpool then you have to warrant your place regardless of age and I personally think that’s a fair comment. I’m not one to be concerned about the past too much nor the future. All I care about is West Ham Saturday and 3 points. Nothing else matters to me. The manager picks the team and decides at what point the young lads play and in what circumstances. If we go 2 up Saturday then there’s no one I want to see come on for 25 mins more than Ibe but the manager has to be careful.
Spot on piece there. Too many fans have sadly grown old and bitter. Singing loud the ynwa hymn, but forgetting what it is all about.
Interesting piece in light of the Markovic development. Was “useless” last season until the anti-Rodgers hysteria reached fever pitch, and then he became another victim of the manager’s supposed egomania.
Now plenty were saying that he is not up to snuff this season, except now that he is loaned and it is all Rodgers fault for ruining him. Clearly a transfer committee choice, but Rodgers did say he wanted an attacking wide man.
With Ibe’s success, Markovic has been pushed further down the pecking order, his price tag made that much heavier. Meanwhile, Ibe continues to be slated by fans who clearly have forgotten that Raheem Sterling (admittedly a totally different footballer and human being, even) was being considered for a loan spell until he clicked in December 2013.
Sadly, it seems that our reputation as intelligent, loyal fans has been taking serious hits in the past few months as our vulnerability (and social media, generally) has given a platform for our worst elements.
Both Ibe and Markovic are clearly very talented, very young footballers (like much of our squad), and we should keep that quite clear in our minds. YNWA
(another lovely piece by Melissa, btw. Quickly developing a reputation as a leading voice of reason.)
Ibe is an exciting talent when allowed to be, but he can’t he allowed free rein when the team is still bedding down and the manager is still under something of a cloud. Sterling only blossomed when the pressure was off him, and faltered again when he became a focal point. Ibe is still learning and needs to be nursed, particularly if he is expected to blend into a system that may not pander to his strengths.
As far as Markovic is concerned, I am really disappointed to hear that we appear to have given up on him. A massive potential there. MAYBE unsuited for the EPL, but needs longer and more exposure to judge. He wouldn’t be the first who
couldn’t hack it.
Every second article/column (and that’s being generous/lenient) is a criticism of fans who are critical. It’s uncanny.
Can you give that “angle” a wide one for a while, just for a change, like?
“Roberto Firmino created the most chances and completed the most take-ons at the Emirates, but he was also neither here nor there at times — especially defensively.”
Really? Wasn’t he, according to the stats, the player who pressed the most?
Most fans act and behave irrationally. Forming your own opinion can be difficult especially when it’s much easier to be swept up by popular agendas or narratives.
Ibe is a kid. Even 28 y.o players hit poor form. If he wasn’t considered good enough he wouldn’t be at LFC. That should be the end of it. Support him.
He had a poor game: FACT. It’s giving nobheads on the internet (and in planes) too much attention to devote an entire article to criticising those who took this fact too far. This is a meta-overreaction.
Good piece as ever from Melissa.
Also am pleased that my guessing the author from the headline stats are on the up in the last week or two.
Excellent and timely article, Melissa. Full of reason and sense.
We appear to have done outstanding business in this transfer market and if they are. as they appear to be, BR’s choices, then full marks to him. BR has made gutsy calls on Gomez and Lovren and they have come off so far – our start is outstanding. When we turn Man U over we will already have made up the points they finished ahead of us this season. These are happy days.
Doesn’t mean I don’t understand why Ibe is in the team. He is yet to demonstrate he is a real goal threat at this level and our system does not seem to be geared to a chalk-on-the-boots wide player.
I thought the decision to bring him on against Arsenal was bizarre. If we wanted a goal threat, then Ings. If we wanted someone who could contribute on defence and had pace on the counter then Moreno. For me the fact that he played badly wasn’t really the issue, except in the sense it was related to him bring brought on in a situation that didn’t suit him. That’s nothing against Ibe, like Robin C, it is more of an issue with the management team.
We have the cups for player development. PL is for our best side and I don’t see how great prospect that he is, fits in the here and now for a place in our upwardly mobile team. I also don’t see how this has anything to do with someone criticising Gomez.
Oops – should be “doesn’t mean I understand why Ibe is in the team”.
I am also happy to hear the other side of things, as there is obviously one that I am not seeing.
Melissa, I agree with your general point, but what I believe you don’t seem to realize is that it is you (and TAW) who are creating this very narrative you seem to be fighting hard against, by devoting as much space as you do to articles and debates such as this one.
The fans are getting on Ibe’s back? You’re making mountains out of molehills. Ibe had a bad cameo at the Emirates, there’s no question about it. I guess he did do his defensive duties alright, but was hardly a standout, it was a team effort. He was also on the pitch to provide a counter-attacking outlet in a 2nd half where are strategy was clearly to sit deep and see if we can catch them on a break, and his contribution in that sense was close to nonexisting. That’s a fact. Now I say this, yet still firmly believe in his massive potential and future stardom, based on his age, the preseason performances, the game against Everton, the loan at Derby, the Birmingham game against Bolton (mentioning this all to show it’s based on more than blind optimism).
And Joe Gomez? I’m sorry, but those twitter followers of yours hardly represent a signifact portion of fans, or indeed your readership here. The praise of Gomez these past few weeks has been through the roof. Have a look at the Redmen TV fancams, at Liverpool supporters that were at the Emirates to see how the fanbase feels about Joe Gomez. Matter of fact, read a comment section of a match review anywhere, without hunting for the one or two persons who have something negative to say.
So, while there’s nothing wrong with your opinion on Ibe, or the path of development of our young players, it’s incredible to how much of a nonissue you’ve devoted your column this week. I wouldn’t mind reading an article of yours about Lazar Markovic, given what your views seem to be on young players at LFC.
Loving your Thursday articles Melissa. Very well said. Perspective is needed from a lot of fans regarding Ibe and the team in general. We’ve started the season with a mindset of bedding in to the campaign as opposed to gung-ho all out football. This is going to affect individual attacking performances, how 7 points out of two away and one home fixture is being used to put certain players and the manager over a barrel already is beyond me.
Look forward to next weeks dash of common sense, keep em coming.
Paddy/Padraig = TheOriginal Grkstav/Velimir = One Person in a basement shaking his fist at the moon.