Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to inject a youthful element into the Reds squad. Last season it was 18-year-old Raheem Sterling given a lengthy run and now there is a chance Jordon Ibe, 17, who made his senior debut on the final day of last season.

"Some of the young players have been brilliant on the (pre-season) trip, the likes of young Raheem Sterling," said the Reds boss.

"He has reminded me of what he was last summer, but he has got a little bit more personality now he has had a year's experience. At 18, he has looked really good.

"Young Jordon Ibe, for 17 years of age, the talk before we came over was that he might need to get experience at a lower level just to get used to playing in front of crowds.

"Well, he's not going to play in front of many more than 83,000 and 95,000 so we come back knowing he can play in front of crowds.

"The players have the opportunity every single day to show that desire to be in the team.

"There's always room there for people to force their way into the team.

"We finished strongly at the end of last season and it's important to build on that. It's a team that's improving and progressing, but still always with room to improve."