Ibe aiming to earn big break at Anfield

Liverpool's Jordan Ibe celebraes scoring against Preston North End during the pre-season friendly at Deepdale, Preston.

The 17-year-old made his debut for the first team in the final match of the campaign at home to QPR in May.

He was then given a starting spot in the Reds’ first pre-season friendly at Preston and repaid his manager with the second goal – a low strike from the edge of the penalty area – in a 4-0 win.

“I’m just learning from the first-team players and trying to show that until the season starts. Hopefully I can do well,” he said.

“I’m learning a lot, especially with defending. The gaffer is helping me a lot with when I haven’t got the ball, coming to tuck in and watching the full-back and centre-back; knowing what to do when I haven’t got the ball.

“Hopefully, I can be consistent and play well, so hopefully I can get a chance again in the first team.

“When I play, hopefully, I can get a goal and help the squad do well this season.”

Ibe, signed from Wycombe in December, 2011 having become their youngest league goalscorer, was involved in pre-season last year.

After some impressive performances for the Under-21s, he was introduced to work with the first-team squad.

However, that had not prepared him for what to do when he scored.

“I was waiting for the ball to cross the line; I didn’t have a celebration so I just put my hands in front of my face,” he said.

“I was so relieved and I looked at Brendan. I’ve always wanted to score in an important match, especially playing with the first team, so once that went over the line I felt so happy.

“It felt really good, especially scoring and playing with the first team. I enjoyed it a lot.”

Liverpool head off on their tour with matches in Jakarta, Melbourne and Bangkok.

“It’s very important for a club like Liverpool to travel worldwide and see our supporters,” said Rodgers.

“It’s going to be an exhausting trip but we’ve had a couple of weeks here to get some work in.

“So we’re looking forward to bringing the club and the team over to Asia and the players and staff are all looking forward to it.”

Porto have signed Colombia midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero from Italian side Pescara on a four-year contract.

The 20-year-old arrives at the Estadio do Dragao for a 5million euros fee while his new contract contains a 40million euros release clause.

The attacking midfielder scored three goals in four appearances for Colombia in the recently concluded Under-20 World Cup in Turkey and he made his senior debut against Cameroon in 2012.