Jordon Ibe feeling the benefits of U21s squad building

The Liverpool forward and his squad-mates met up last week ahead of Tuesday’s game with Kazakhstan but had two different kinds of exercises to contend with rather than hitting the training ground straightaway.

Boss Gareth Southgate first took his players to a ‘Go Ape’ climbing centre in Delamere Forest, close to their initial base in Cheshire.

The following morning saw the group head to a nearby lake, where the players split into separate groups to build and sail their own rafts using barrells and logs in a race across the water.

And while the 19-year-old admits outdoor pursuits are not necessarily his favourite activities, he saw the benefit of it for the team as a whole.

"I was a bit nervous at the beginning because I’m not the best with water, but I actually enjoyed it," he laughed.

"It was a good experience doing the raft building and the climbing, and I’m sure the rest of the squad enjoyed it too.

"We got away from the training ground for a few days, but we’re back in work now and I think the squad has benefited from the activities."

Ibe keeps his balance during the squad's trip to 'Go Ape' in Cheshire

Ibe is already a key member of Southgate’s U21s group, who started their campaign last month with a victory over USA U23s in Preston before kick-starting their Euro Qualifiers with a 1-0 win against Norway.

That was the first time the group had been together as one and with a dynamic still developing between all of the players, Ibe has felt an increase in the bond both on and off the pitch.

"It’s been good and I’m enjoying it. It’s been good to bond with all of the players and I just hope we can do well now," added the former Wycombe Wanderers youngster.

"That [last month’s double victory] was a bonus because whenever you come away with England there’s not a lot of time to work together as a team so just to keep getting wins like that showed how good we are as a squad and over time we can get better.

"There’s definitely more of a feeling in the group now."

Ibe takes on two defenders during England's game with USA at Deepdale last month

Next up for Southgate’s squad is Tuesday’s game at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry and Ibe knows England will have to be patient in their pursuit of three points and a second group win.

This will be Kazakhstan’s fourth game of the group, so the squad have been well versed on what to expect from their opponents.

"Gareth has shown us a couple of the clips and they’re quite compact but at times they like to press," revealed Ibe. 

"So it’s just about picking out our times to try and penetrate them to get a goal.

"In most of the games that they’ve played, it’s been the last ten or 15 minutes before someone scored so we’re going to need patience as well and not get frustrated.

"It’s just about picking a time, keep playing how we usually play and do what we’ve been doing in training."

Ibe has also been keeping a close eye on events at Anfield since he has been away, with the appointment of German boss Jurgen Klopp sparking the imagination of both Reds players and fans alike.

The south Londoner admits he can’t wait to get back to Merseyside after Tuesday’s game to meet and start working under his new manager.

Ibe has been a regular in the Liverpool squad this season and is now hoping to impress new boss Jurgen Klopp

And given Klopp’s record of successfully working with and developing young players during his time at former club Borussia Dortmund, Ibe is keen to make the most of it.

"I can’t wait to get back and start working with him now,” said Ibe, who was also quick to express his sorrow at the departure of former boss Brendan Rodgers.

"I can only try and get better with the help he’s hopefully going to provide for me, and there’s a lot of other young players, so working around him should be great and also for the senior players in the squad.

"It’s a shame [about Rodgers], because he was an important man in my career. 

"But that’s how football is. There’s no promises in football and I wish him all the best for the future.

"I now need to focus and work under the new manager, he’s got good experience and did some great stuff with Borussia Dortmund."

Tickets for the game at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday 13 October are on sale now, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. Click here or call 024 7678 6411 to get yours