Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton wants Jordon Ibe to up his attacking game, following the winger’s lacklustre display in the 2-1 win over Bordeaux in the Europa League last night.
The 19-year-old, who joined the Reds’ academy from Wycombe Wanderers in 2012, is yet to secure a regular spot in Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven, despite 16 appearances in all competitions in the present campaign.
Ibe scored his maiden Liverpool goal in the 1-0 win over Rubin Kazan in a Europa League game earlier in the month.
But Houghton, who believes Ibe is a quality player, feels the youngster should look to take on rival defenders more often.
“I would like to see a bit more from Jordon Ibe because undoubtedly he is a player, someone with real quality”, Houghton said on LFC TV.
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“He looks inhibited to me at times, doesn’t want to go and take players on. And I think that is where he should be encouraged by his manager, his team-mates.
“When he picks the ball up, he should be encouraged to take on the opposition’s full-backs and whip a few crosses in the box, to be a bit proactive in the final third.
“He looks a bit hesitant at the moment, maybe because he has not played a lot of games. But I would like him to do a bit more, when he gets his chance.”
Ibe, whose present deal with Liverpool is set to expire in 2020, has thus far amassed 33 appearances for the club, scoring once and providing four assists.
The starlet is yet to earn a senior cap for England, but has represented the nation at various youth levels.
