Jurgen Klopp‘s arrival has inspired the Liverpool squad to a new, stronger mentality, says Jordon Ibe, rejuvenating his form this season.
Ibe has been one of the players most notably affected by Liverpool’s decision to appoint Klopp, with his improved performances against Bourmemouth and Chelsea helping the Reds to their first two wins of the German’s tenure.
The 19-year-old suffered from a crisis of confidence under Brendan Rodgers, arguably due to positional issues in the Ulsterman’s favoured 3-4-2-1 formation.
But, following Klopp’s arrival, Ibe says he feels “like a new player.”
“With the new manager, everything is fresh,” he told the club’s official website.
“I feel like a new player and it’s for me to keep improving and trying to stand out in training.
“I feel good – the whole team are feeling great and fresh.
“We’ve won two games now, so it’s still new.
“We just need to win a few more now and I am sure that mentality and confidence will come where we think, ‘We can go there and beat them.'”
Ibe’s focus on an improved mentality was in clear effect as Liverpool came from one behind to defeat Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday.
The intensity and vigour that underlined the Reds’ comeback was characteristic of Klopp’s brand of football, and Ibe believes that the German’s influence has restored confidence on Merseyside.
“It was one of the most important things the new manager has said – we need to be a team who can be 2-0 down and know there is still time for us to get a goal,” he continued.
“It could be in the last 10 minutes, so it’s just about having a mentality that is like ‘it’s now up to us to go and get two goals…and then a third one.’
“It was great for the team to come back from 1-0 down because it is difficult to do that and beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“It was great.”
Ibe will be hoping for more minutes in the Liverpool starting lineup as Klopp takes his side to Russia to take on Rubin Kazan on Thursday night.
A win at the Kazan Arena would put Liverpool in a strong position for progress from Group B of the Europa League.
As Ibe will attest, the belief restored following Klopp’s arrival will ensure this is possible.
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