By Dominic King
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Liverpool's Academy is brimming with talent and Jordon Ibe, one of its most gifted pupils, showed why he is a name to note by firing his side into the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.
Ibe, who was brought to Anfield in an initial 500,000 deal from Wycombe Wanderers in December 2011, scored twice as Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners against Leeds to set up a trip to Hull City in the next round. Jack Dunn completed the scoring in injury time after Lewis Cook had pulled one back.
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Hot shot: Liverpool's Jordan Ibe scores the opening goal
Take that: Liverpool's Jordan Ibe celebrates his strike
Though Leeds – who had the backing off more than 250 hardy souls from Yorkshire – showed signs of promise in the opening exchanges and finished strongly, they had no answer when Ibe went impressively through the gears in the space of 10 first minutes to take the tie away from the visitors.
Frank McParland, Liverpool's Academy Director, said: 'It was a really physical game and I am just pleased we have come through it. Leeds were strong and had more experience and were older than most of our boys.
'It is great to be in the next round and, of course, Jordon's performance was excellent. He has been doing really well for the reserves this year and with him being 17, he can play in this competition next year. He took his goals really well.'
Playing on the left-flank and looking to dovetail at every opportunity with Jerome Sinclair – who became the youngest player in Liverpool's history when he had a brief run out in the Carling Cup against West Brom last September – it was not difficult to see why Ibe is held in such regard.
High jump: Liverpool's Jordan Ibe tangles with Alex Mowatt
Top man: Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was at the match
He showed great poise in the 29th minute to skip inside a challenge, after being teed up by Dan Trickett-Smith, and rifle a shot through the legs of Leeds defender Afolabi Coker, that left keeper Eric Grimes with no chance.
If the manner in which he dispatched that was impressive, his second goal was even more so. When Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter won a challenge deep inside his own half, Ibe had no other option but to set off on a run.
Such was his change of pace, though, he left Leeds' Alex Purver trailing before slaloming around Corey Roper to crack a drive past Grimes. Ibe went on Liverpool's tour to the USA last summer and, if he maintains this progress, another call up to Brendan Rodgers' squad will not be far away.
This, however, was not a one-sided contest. Leeds, who came into this tie having suffered just one defeat all season, started brightly and had a goal correctly disallowed in the 24th minute when substitute Eoghan Stokes was adjudged to have fouled Liverpool keeper Ryan Fulton.
Liverpool struggled to find a rhythm in the second half yet Leeds could not make their domination of possession pay. Cook gave hope of a late comeback when he cracked a shot past Fulton after being teed up by Alex Mowatt but their pursuit of an equaliser left them susceptible to a quick break.
So it proved in injury time when Dunn and substitute Kristoffer Peterson combined to leave the first named with the easy task of finishing from six yards.
Too much: Leeds' Lewis Walters was distraught at being substituted
Cool head: Kristoffer Peterson flicks the ball past Leeds keeper Eric Grimes
Watching brief: Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe
Video: Ibe's sensational solo effort
Looking at the pictures it appears a massive crowd turned out for it.
- Jimbo7 , New York City, United States, 01/3/2013 05:54
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