You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool FC youngster Jordon Ibe certainly caught the eye in Wednesday's defeat to Brondby. The 18-year-old starlet lit up the game after coming on at half-time.

After just three minutes on the pitch he set up the Reds' only goal of the game with an exquisite turn and powerful run before squaring for Kristoffer Peterson to score.

Ibe has been on the fringes of first team football for the Reds for two seasons after making his full debut against QPR at the end of Brendan Rodgers' first season in charge. Ibe starred in the pre-season last summer before heading out to Birmingham on loan.

The former Wycombe man helped keep the Brummies in the Championship and he has been impressive in the two friendlies the Reds have played since his return to Anfield.

Many fans are tipping the youngster for the top and here's five reasons why he can make the grade at Anfield this season.

Fearlessness

Fear? Ibe doesn't know the meaning of the word.

This is a man who burst on to the scene at the age of just 15 as a substitute, deep into extra-time in Wycombe's League Cup clash with Colchester.

He went on to become the club's youngest ever first-team player and signed for Liverpool at the age of just 16.

He was just 17 when he started his first game at Anfield, but that didn't affect his performance. He put in an excellent display, using his pace to torment the full-backs of Harry Redknapp's side and continually drifting infield to find pockets of space.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

One such run took him from the left touchline into another central area, beating two visiting defenders along the way; his smart lay off was rifled home by Philippe Coutinho.

His defensive play was good as well. He supported Jose Enrique at left-back, often popping up at the back to help win back possession and looked assured with the ball having done so.

Did he get everything right? No. Not many 17-year-olds do. But when a pass went astray or a defender failed to fall for one of his step-overs, it didn't put him off. He just waited, asked for the ball, and did it all again.

This is a lad who won't be phased by the pressure that comes with pulling on a red shirt - and that trait could be very useful when the season proper gets underway.

Flexibility

Ibe is prominently right-footed and the 18-year-old likes to play on the left, cutting in on his favoured foot to run at full-backs and find space in the final third.

He did exactly that for Birmingham against Bolton Wanderers, picking the ball up in stoppage time, and running at the Bolton defence before rifling a shot against the legs of an opponent, allowing Paul Caddis to turn the ball home and keep Lee Clark's side up.

But the youngster can also be deployed on the right flank and through the centre and, as Liverpool fans well know, Rodgers likes his players to be tactically flexible and will allow them the freedom to roam.

Ibe is capable of playing in a number of positions across the frontline, and is dependable defensively covering his full-back and tracking back effectively.

He could find himself used in a very similar fashion as Raheem Sterling, who started off as quite a direct winger before Rodgers moved him behind the front two, where his pace and skill caused defenders no end of problems.

Ibe's skill set would allow him to make a similar impact.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Maturity

Despite being just 18, Ibe has a much older head on those young shoulders.

He's not a kid who is interested in doing flicks and tricks for the sake of them - watch him play and note how he gets his head up and picks out passes and is aware of his team-mates' positions around him.

Getting on to a long ball against QPR, Ibe recognised that there wasn't enough space to get in behind, so he nodded the ball down for Jordan Henderson to strike. Three times he squared the ball across the six-yard box looking for his team-mates and, with half the QPR defence stood in front of him, he picked out Coutinho to allow Liverpool to take the lead.

He isn't a selfish youngster interested in glory - he's someone that can stand up and be counted in the heat of the battle.

Trust

Ibe is lucky in that he comes in to a Liverpool team which embraces youth and flair. There's a great camaraderie in the Anfield dressing room and lots of young players bursting through at the same time.

Ibe will be embraced by his team-mates and given the freedom of expression his talent clearly craves.

He is blessed with wonderful natural ability and with skillful players around him he will be allowed to flourish.

There's no selfishness at Anfield, with the likes of Coutinho, Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Steven Gerrard, Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic all as likely to assist a goal as score one, Ibe will see plenty of the ball.

Yes, there's a lot of competition for attacking places at Anfield. Yes, Rodgers aims to only increase that competition before the transfer window slams shut. But Ibe shouldn't be discounted. The competition will force the youngster to keep improving in order to force his way into Rodgers' plans.

Brendan Rodgers

If Ibe wants just one reason to believe he can make the breakthrough into Liverpool's first team - he needs only go and knock on his manager's door.

Rodgers is clearly a man who believes in youth.

Ask Jon Flanagan, or Sterling, or Andre Wisdom, Martin Kelly, Suso and Joao Teixieira. All youngsters from Liverpool's reserve team promoted to the seniors. All men handed Rodgers' trust and all men who, to varying degrees, have repaid that trust by performing for the Reds.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Gone are the days when many Liverpool youngsters would stagnate at the age of 21 or 22 in Liverpool's reserves.

Rodgers gives players chances and he doesn't give up on them if they put in one or two bad displays. He allows his players time to grow and gain confidence playing with the first team.

Also, the system Rodgers employs is an attacker's dream. Ibe will not be forced to stand rigidly in a bank of four or made to curb his attacking interests in favour of defensive game-plans.

Instead, he will be allowed to attack with flair and link up with the vast array of attacking talent that Rodgers has assembled at Anfield.

Chances are he will do just that.

Anfield's production line seems to be in good shape at the moment, and Ibe could well be the next star to announce himself on the big stage as 2014/15 nears.

Long may it continue.

poll loading Will Ibe make his breakthrough in 2014/15? 3000+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO

More Liverpool FC news:

Reds begin pre-season with defeat to Brondby

Re-read: Brondby 2-1 Liverpool FC, live

Luis Suarez is "now a Barca player in all respects"

Moreno deal collapses over fee differences

Brendan Rodgers picks 23-man squad for Brondby friendly

Brendan Rodgers happy as 'exciting' Lazar Markovic completes £20m move to Liverpool

Reds complete £20m deal for Lazar Markovic

Lazar Markovic: The expert's view on Liverpool's big-money signing from Benfica

Lazar Markovic: all you need to know about the Reds' latest signing

Help or hindrance? What impact does the World Cup have on Liverpool FC?