Who do Liverpool need to sign to retain the title? Keep up with all the Reds news with our free daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jordon Ibe could have been preparing for life in a tough London ­classroom rather than learning lessons from the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp and Eddie Howe.

The south Londoner had his sights fixed on a future in teaching until his ­football career took off.

“I really enjoyed maths. That’s the subject where I did most of my ­homework,” said the flying winger, reminiscing about his schooldays.

“When people used to ask what I would do if I wasn’t playing football, I always told them it would have to be a maths teacher.”

Ibe , a 15 year-old schoolboy when he made his ­breakthrough at Wycombe, has never had to worry about an ­alternative job because of the talent in his boots. Yet the youngster, who joined ­Liverpool in 2012, did have a problem to solve this summer.

(Image: Paul Thomas - The FA) (Image: Getty)

Anfield chief Klopp informed Ibe that a Liverpool campaign minus European football was going to equal less minutes on the pitch for him.

That is when Bournemouth did a few sums of their own and tabled a club record £15million offer for the England Under-21 star.

Ibe, 20, said: “They had great players at Liverpool and I just felt that it was time for me to leave and crack on. It was a tough one – but I needed to think about what’s best for me, and that’s playing football.

“And when you look at it, Liverpool and Bournemouth are fighting for the same things because they are in the same competitions.

“Liverpool are not in the Europa League, so would coming here really make a difference?

(Image: Getty)

“I would have more chances to play at Bournemouth than Liverpool, so it doesn’t really matter.”

Cherries boss Howe is helping make the transition easier.

Ibe, who thrived under Rodgers at Anfield, said: “It is pretty much the same as Brendan. Every training session is different. I was a bit upset when he left. It came as a shock.

“Klopp is another good manager as well though, and I enjoyed my time there with him.”

And the German coach clearly rates Ibe, too, as there was a buy-back clause inserted into the terms of the sale a month ago.

But right now Ibe is aiming to enjoy his fresh start – and regular football down on the south coast.

“It is another chance for me to develop and have a better chance to become a better player,” he pointed out. “Hopefully this will be my time.”