Saturday, 22nd February, 2014
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he has wanted to send winger Jordan Ibe out on loan for some time and in Birmingham City believes he has found the right destination for the 18-year-old.
The Reds confirmed yesterday that they have loaned Ibe to Birmingham for the remainder of the current season, meaning he will have the chance to cut his teeth in the Championship.
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For Rodgers, he is fulfilling a plan he has had for some time, with the Liverpool boss telling his club's site: "I've wanted to have Jordon out on loan for a little while because he has been close to the team and the squad, he has been unable to [break through].
"Our squad was very small so he was playing a big part in that over the last few months. But he's still a very young player – he needs games and experience under pressure, and obviously that was limited with us.
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"He has not long turned 18, he has got plenty of time."
And the Liverpool boss believes that in Lee Clark's Birmingham he has found the right fit for Ibe, plunging the winger into an environment which will provide him with both opportunity and exposure to pressure.
"We wanted to send him to a club with a manager who has worked with young players and got the best out of some young players", Rodgers said.
"Lee Clark, we feel, is someone who could do that. Traditionally, Birmingham City is a brilliant club, a big club.
"So there is a little bit of pressure, but he's going to go there and hopefully play, get his experience and earn his position in the team."
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