Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe has publicly thanked manager Brendan Rodgers for the role he has played in the young wingers rise to the Liverpool first team this season.
Since being recalled from a loan spell at Derby County in January, Ibe has impressed several times over in a Red shirt, and showed his value by coming straight back into the side after a month out with an ACL injury. Ibe however, insists that none of it would be possible without the guidance of Rodgers.
"He's given me the chance to play in the first team and I'm enjoying it and learning from all the players," said Ibe.
"I feel I can take this into next season and keep playing and doing well.
"He's told me at times, 'Don't back down from going at a player'. If there's 10 opportunities to go at a player and I lose it nine times, he said the 10th time hopefully I'll go past the player.
"It gives me the confidence and freedom when I'm in the final third to express myself and try to do something positive - get a goal or whip it in for someone to score."
Despite having been given the chance to show his obvious talents on a much bigger stage since January, Ibe realises that he still has much to improve on, and is determined to do so.
"I can remember there was a chance in a game where I could have been back post and got a tap-in, so it's just getting in the right areas and in the frame of the goal. I'm working on that," he continued.
"I'm starting to get into the right areas now and making the right runs, so I think that's one of the key areas I've developed throughout the whole season.
"One of the biggest improvements [I have made] would be that I used to get nervous but I feel like I handle it better and play with the team with freedom."