'It was special to face Totti'
Jordon Ibe reflected on the experience of playing against Italian superstar Francesco Totti at Fenway Park on Wednesday night and admitted he would love to face players of that calibre in the Champions League this season.
After a successful loan spell at Birmingham City last season the 18-year-old has been one of Liverpool's star performers during the pre-season campaign, and he is hoping he can continue to impress Brendan Rodgers during the US tour.
He is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and is concentrating on working as hard as he can to try and stake a claim for a regular place in the squad in the 2014-15 campaign.
"It was a great experience, playing against Totti and Ashley Cole," Ibe told Liverpoolfc.com.
"It was great for my fitness; it was a tough match for us. I enjoyed it and I think all of the other players did as well. The manager gave me a chance to play and I enjoyed it a lot."
After three assists in the opening two pre-season games, the former Wycombe Wanderers starlet also revealed he is putting in extra work in training as he wants to add goals to his game.
He added: "I'm working on my finishing, trying to get goals. I've got a few assists but goals are the thing I really want to work on in this pre-season.
"I am working hard pressing-wise and trying to get into players' faces, knowing when and when not to do things - decision making. I'm learning from all the other players here and hopefully I can do well in pre-season.
"I'm looking forward to the whole pre-season, trying to do well, help the team win and obviously get better and fitter. I'm enjoying everything and all of the places we're going to."
Ibe also paid tribute to head of fitness and conditioning Ryland Morgans for ensuring the squad returned to training at their maximum level.
He said: "It's going really well - I'm enjoying the training. It's tough out here but it's all good for us.
"I'm doing well fitness-wise. I did some work and training before the season started. All of the lads are doing well right now and training hard."
"Ryland, the fitness coach here, gives us a plan for the off-season that benefits all of us. When we come back to training, it's not as hard as if we didn't do any training. It's paying off."