Ibe: We're hungry to make our mark
Liverpool see tomorrow's clash with Norwich City as a chance to make amends for their last game at Anfield, according to Jordon Ibe, who would love to help the cause with his first goal too.
An unexpected 3-0 home defeat against West Ham United at the end of August halted the Reds’ unbeaten opening to the new campaign in disappointing fashion.
When they returned to action after the subsequent international break, Brendan Rodgers’ side were then undone at rivals Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.
The successive losses leave Ibe and co with a point to prove back in front of their own supporters on Sunday as they attempt to quickly move back up the standings.
“It’s [a chance] for us to make a mark in the Premier League and keep climbing again,” the wide-man told Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood.
“It’s vital for us to win because we know how it went last time we played at home, losing to West Ham. I feel the disappointment is making us a bit hungrier.
“We all know where we should be so it’s vital for us to keep going in each and every training session. Hopefully we’ll get back there.”
Liverpool have scored only three goals in their five league games so far in 2015-16 and the manager has spoken of the need to increase their creativity and risk-taking on the pitch.
While Ibe has readily demonstrated his talent in troubling opposition defences during 23 appearances for the Reds to date, he has yet to find the target himself.
It’s a statistic the 19-year-old is acutely aware of.
He admitted: “That has been a key point for me and it’s quite frustrating that I’ve not scored yet, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.
“But hopefully it can come sooner rather than later. I just need to keep getting myself in the box and when I have chances in front of goal I need to shoot, whether it’s inside or outside the box.”
Ibe was the provider for a consolation goal from Christian Benteke at Old Trafford last weekend worthy of winning any game instead of becoming immaterial.
The Englishman, brought into the contest as a substitute, sent in a cross from the right flank that arrived to the No.9 at a seemingly awkward angle.
Not that you would have guessed so from the manner in which Benteke acrobatically contorted his body to slam a truly sensational volley into the net.
“You see those goals now and again but you never see it in the flesh like that,” Ibe reflected. “It happened quickly – it was phenomenal.
“He is a great player. There might be times that the gaffer will tell me I don’t always have to beat the player, sometimes just get the ball, take a touch and put it into the box – he’s going to win headers.”