The extra work Jordon Ibe has done to improve his finishing finally has paid dividends.
Ibe, 19, scored his first goal for Liverpool on Thursday in its 1-0 UEFA Europa League win over Rubin Kazan. Ibe had failed to score in his first 29 appearances for Liverpool, but now he’s off and running on the goals front.
The game was goal-less in the 52nd minute when Ibe received a pass from Roberto Firmino, dashed toward the Rubin Kazan penalty area and beat goalkeeper Sergey Ryzhikov with a fine finish from the edge of the box.
Ibe scored a stunning goal in July against the Malaysia XI during Liverpool’s preseason tour. His goal against Rubin Kazan was much more meaningful than that strike, which came in an unofficial game.
His previous goals had come during loan spells with Birmingham City (one in 2013-14) and Derby County (five in 2014-15) and as a Wycombe Wanderers player (one in 2011-12) when he was just 15 years old.
Ibe vowed to improve his goal production in May when he signed a long-term contract with Liverpool. He cut short his summer vacation in order to work on his finishing with Liverpool’s coaching staff on his own.
This is the result.
Liverpool-Rubin Kazan Wrap: Reds earn first Europa League win >>
Thumbnail photo via LiverpoolFC.com
