Liverpool's Jordon Ibe Has Much to Prove and Needs to Work Hard to Reach the Top

Such is the nature of modern football and the age of social media, a top-flight footballer's every move is followed and scrutinised.

In recent years, we've seen social media go into a frenzy when a player has started following a certain club, or a group of players from a club they're being linked with.

Indeed, this past transfer window saw Liverpool target Alex Teixeira issue his modern come-and-get-me plea by liking a Photoshopped picture of himself in a Reds' kit on Instagram.

Social media has produced plenty of controversial incidents, with Ryan Babel among those to be fined by the Football Association for his conduct online, after he posted an image of former referee Howard Webb in a Manchester United shirt.

Glen Johnson took to Twitter within an hour of Liverpool's 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace in in May 2014, labelling fans as "sofa experts," per This Is Anfield.

The latest episode in the soap opera of social media has seen out-of-favour winger Jordon Ibe in the headlines.

After being left of out the squad for Sunday's game against Stoke City, the Liverpool winger reportedly, per the Independent, removed all reference to Liverpool FC on his Twitter profile, and added an image on Instagram reading: "God has your best interest at heart. When a door closes, you don’t known what God is saving you from."

Of course, this kind of activity is typically a case of much ado about nothing, but certainly in this instance there appears to be no smoke without fire.

Ibe hasn't started for Liverpool since the FA Cup defeat to West Ham United on February 9. Since then, he's not featured in the squad for six of the Reds' 12 games since.

Ojo vs. Ibe

Eighteen-year-old Sheyi Ojo seems to have overtaken Ibe in recent weeks.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

A few weeks ago, while Ojo was making his Premier League debut as a late substitute in the defeat at Southampton, Ibe was lining up for the Reds' under-21s against Southampton—a match they lost 5-0.

The 20-year-old returned to the squad for the home game against Tottenham Hotspur, appearing as a sub in stoppage time, but he was again dropped from the squad for Sunday's home game against Stoke—with Ojo making his first league start for the club.

That appears to be the move that provoked Ibe's ire—with Jurgen Klopp making seven changes to his starting XI but still not including the England under-21 international in the squad. That's very telling of where Ibe stands in the manager's plans at the moment.

Ojo went on to produce a superb assist for Daniel Sturridge's crucial goal just before being withdrawn at half-time.

"Still got a lot to learn," wrote Ojo on his Twitter account post-match.

"

Crazy day.. proud to make my first start for @LFC & assist the big bro @DanielSturridge , still got a lot to learn🙏 #lfc

— Sheyi Ojo (@sheyi_ojo) 10 April 2016"

It is perhaps those words that are key for Klopp and shows the correct attitude that the manager desires from his young players. Ojo was happy to receive his debut and understands that he is far from the finished product.

Ibe, meanwhile, appears to be struggling to impress in training to force his way into the matchday squad.

Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images

The winger, who was recalled from a productive loan spell at Derby County last January by former boss Brendan Rodgers, also had a difficult time during the recent international break, sent-off for England under-21s against Switzerland.

Speaking after that dismissal, under-21s boss Gareth Southgate commented on Ibe's lack of confidence and rhythm.

"

I think players, especially at Jordon’s age, go through peaks and troughs.

He doesn’t look full of confidence at the minute.

We have got to try and help him get to the level that we think we can achieve. He doesn’t look like he is in a rhythm.

"

For a player of Ibe's age, confidence certainly plays a huge part—as evidenced by Ojo, who appears to be brimming with confidence in a similar manner to how Ibe was after his early loan recall last season.

Ojo has returned early from loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers and found himself in the manager's plans just as Ibe did previously. The current situation does not guarantee that Ibe will remain behind Ojo in Klopp's thoughts.

Ibe

Perhaps Ibe would have been a player who could have benefited from a loan spell prior to the loan window closing at the end of last month.

Klopp, though, seems to prefer to keep a closer eye on the development of his players and keep them around the club's Melwood base.

Ibe is then left in a difficult situation, lacking confidence and seeing Ojo overtake him. It's a stark contrast to just four months ago, when the player whom many supporters saw as a replacement for Raheem Sterling when he left last summer, was in favour with Klopp.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Having hit his first goal for the club in the away match at Rubin Kazan in the UEFA Europa League back in November, that was followed by another goal—as sub at Southampton in the League Cup. After scoring a goal at Stoke City in the League Cup semi-final in early January, Ibe appeared to be a key part of the squad.

Somewhere since then, it's gone wrong for Ibe, struggling to make any impact in his four sub appearances and one start since that game at Stoke.

Indeed, Ibe has followed a similar pattern to Benteke with neither starting a game since the FA Cup defeat at West Ham—a match that saw Liverpool fail to convert their opportunities before conceded in the final minute of extra time.

Attacking options

Ibe's exclusion from the side, though, is more likely a combination of his lack of confidence coinciding with Klopp having his first-choice attackers available all at once.

Alex Broadway/Getty Images

The manager faces a selection conundrum for the home game against Borussia Dortmund, with Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho all fighting for three attacking spots. All of those five can be considered as being in-form in recent weeks. No wonder Ibe isn't getting a chance.

Clearly, though, Klopp demands high standards from his players and must see the desired work rate and attitude in training. Whether Ibe is producing that at Melwood cannot be determined by anyone other than the manager, but that's the only way for the 20-year-old to force his way back into the manager's plans for the end of the season.

With seven games remaining in the Premier League, Ibe needs to find a way to make an impression in order to get another opportunity to impress the manager this season.

If he cannot do that, a move away from Anfield could be on the cards, with Watford reportedly, per the Guardian, among the clubs interested.

Perhaps the best option for player and club is a season-long loan move for Ibe, able to get regular playing time in the Premier League and regain the confidence he showed a year ago.

Ultimately, only hard work will see him prove himself in the Premier League.