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It’s been a hot topic this season, particularly at Anfield.

Football agents, and the power they wield over their clients, is something of a sore point for Liverpool.

Their battle, both private and public, with Aidy Ward, the representative of Raheem Sterling, has been an unwelcome sideshow throughout an already disappointing campaign. It is also unlikely to be resolved any time soon.

Unsurprisingly, then, Liverpool have been keen to avoid similar situations developing.

Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson have all sorted new contracts this season, and the club are eager to do the same with Martin Skrtel, Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan.

And, too, with their latest talented teenager. Thankfully, in the case of Jordon Ibe, agents won’t be an issue.

“I don’t have one,” says the 19-year-old. “I don’t believe in them.”

Firm words, and words which will be music to the ears of Liverpool supporters and officials.

Ibe allows his parents to look after his affairs off the pitch. He has already agreed terms on a new five-year deal at Anfield, though that has yet to be formally confirmed.

“I just don’t see the need for an agent, really,” Ibe says. “My parents are doing the same job, and my family will always be number one to me.

“They’re the best people for me. They give me any advice I need, and then obviously I have the final decision. I don’t see what an agent can do for me that my parents couldn’t.”

Family, clearly, is a big thing where Ibe is concerned. Despite establishing himself as a first-teamer at Liverpool this season, he still lives with his parents. He credits his mother, Charlett, as the biggest influence on his career to date.

That career, though, is gathering pace. Having spent the first half of this campaign on loan with Derby County in the Championship, Ibe returned to Merseyside in January, and has since made 11 appearances in Liverpool’s senior side.

Brendan Rodgers believes the Londoner can become a key player for the Reds in years to come.

“It gives me a lot of confidence to hear that,” Ibe says. “And especially as I am getting my chance to play now.

“There are a lot of youngsters coming through that will get the chance to impress the manger, and it’s great because there are a lot of opportunities coming now. hopefully we will become the future of the club.”

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers on why Jordon Ibe can have a massive impact at Anfield

Ibe admits to having had some reservations when he was told he was to return from Derby, where he had become a regular starter under Steve McClaren.

“To be fair, I thought I would be at Derby for the rest of the season,” he says. “That was the doubt; that if I came back I might not play, and be on the bench for most games for the experience.

“He spoke to me two weeks prior to me coming back, and said the way we were playing now would give me the chance to fit in in that wing-back role. He told me, ‘when you get back, you can start training and hopefully get in and start playing games’.

“I slightly doubted it, but I spoke to my parents and we just came to the position that if the gaffer says I have to come back then I have to - I can’t say no!

“My aim was to always come back at some point - and it happened so I am delighted. The manager has come through and delivered on that. Since I’ve come back I’ve been given the chance to play, and I am grateful for that. I am enjoying it.”

So, too, are the Liverpool supporters. It has not been a particularly impressive season for the Reds, but Ibe’s emergence has been one of the bright spots.

He shone on his first start of the campaign, away at Everton in February, and has caught the eye even when operating in a largely unfamiliar right wing-back position.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” he says. “There is a different responsibility playing as a wing-back, but the way we play means I don’t have to do a lot of defensive stuff anyway. I can still get forward and attack.

“It’s been a great experience playing in that position. If I have to play right-back one time, or wing-back again, I will know the position.”

The common consensus – one that, crucially, is shared by Rodgers – is that Ibe’s long-term future will be further up the field.

His qualities - his dribbling, his speed and balance, and his ability to strike the ball with either foot – make him one of English football’s most exciting prospects.

All were in evidence at Goodison Park earlier in the year, when Ibe marked his first Premier League start in almost two years with a performance to remember.

And, nearly, with a goal to remember too.

“I was annoyed with that!” he laughs about the shot he fired against the Everton past that night. “That was the game for me. You could see how big the game was and the manager gave me the chance, I just need to keep playing at that level.

“I found out I was playing on the Friday evening in training. We were just doing formations and he read out the starting 11 and said my name, and I was a bit confused!

“We went through some set-pieces and I was a bit nervous to be fair, but in the game I was fine, I enjoyed it.”

Liverpool fans will hope he continues to enjoy his football at Anfield in the coming months and years. Certainly, from what they’ve seen so far, they plan to enjoy him.