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Brendan Rodgers believes teenager Jordon Ibe has the potential to become an “outstanding” young player for Liverpool FC.

The 18-year-old starred as a youthful Reds side won 4-0 against Shamrock Rovers in an end-of-season friendly in Dublin on Wednesday night. Ibe laid on goals for Iago Aspas and Fabio Borini, and might have had a hat-trick himself. He ended the night by being named as the sponsors' man of the match.

The former Wycombe Wanderers trainee has already had a taste of first-team action at Anfield, and spent the final months of this season helping Birmingham City avoid relegation from the SkyBet Championship.

And Rodgers believes Ibe can go on to establish himself with Liverpool in the coming months and years.

He said: “He's such a talent. He's 18 years of age, still only a second year scholar.

“It was interesting, I asked him to do something different here. I played him on the side in the first half, but we switched to a diamond in the second half. I wanted to see him.

“It was similar to what I have done with Raheem (Sterling). I wanted to improve his football intelligence, play him in a different position. He played at the top of the diamond and he was excellent.

“He's got running power, pace, and he has a lovely touch on the ball. He just needs to work on his finishing!

“The most important thing for me, though, is that he gets into those positions. For a kid of that age, his composure, his touch, his speed, he has all the attributes to be a real outstanding player.

“He's already came on. He played against Arsenal this season, and we are a club that is looking for its young players to come through. But they have got to have the personality, and that's important.”

Ibe was one of a number of talented youngsters to feature at the Aviva Stadium. Jack Dunn, 19, grabbed the Reds' fourth goal, from a pass from U18 star Connor Randall, whilst there were good performances from Brad Smith, Rafa Paez, Joao Carlos Teixeira and Conor Coady.

“It's clear that we are a club that gives opportunities to youth players,” Rodgers added. “I'm not sure there is a younger squad that has qualified for the Champions League, and certainly not one that has finished second in the Premier League.

“It's my first instinct to look from within, and some of those young boys have already sampled the first team. It's really up to them now.

“Age is no barrier; if they're good enough they're old enough. Raheem Sterling displaced full internationals at 17 years of age, and has gone on to become a top-class young player. Then there's Jon Flanagan, Philippe Coutinho, Jordon Ibe. The opportunities are there for them. But they have to have personality.”

Rodgers also paid tribute to the club's supporters, after more than 42,000 made it to the teatime kick off to see his side.

“It just amazes me, this club,” he said. “A 5.30 kick off in Dublin, and we can call out that many supporters. It's absolutely remarkable. But that's what Liverpool is, it's a wonderful club. It was a great finish to what has been a wonderful season for us.”

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