Former Liverpool forward issues brutal Jurgen Klopp criticism after 'best you leave' conversation

Former Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe has opened up on his relationship with ex-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp after leaving Anfield in 2016.

Former Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe has criticised ex-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. Making his debut as a teenager with Wycombe Wanderers, Ibe scored his first professional goal at just 15 before being snapped up by Liverpool in a £500k deal in December 2011.

After progressing through the academy, he made his Reds debut on the final day of the 2012/13 Premier League season, setting up Philippe Coutinho for the only goal of the game against Queens Park Rangers - all this while still only 17 years-old.

Following successful loan spells at Birmingham City and Derby County during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons, Brendan Rodgers recalled the forward to become a regular in the Liverpool first-team squad.

However, after Klopp's first season in 2015/16, where he made 41 appearances and netted four goals, Ibe was sold to AFC Bournemouth in a £15million deal.

Despite a buyback clause included in the transfer, Liverpool never came close to activating it as Ibe struggled to find his form with the Cherries.

Ibe has now had his say on the circumstances behind his Liverpool exit in an interview with The Sports Agents podcast. "He [Klopp] came in, and obviously, he's gonna want to have his own players," he said.

"We had a conversation, and it was good at first, but I don't really think he honoured it. Young players, I've noticed, or even players in general, they'll hear something from their manager or whoever, and they'll be scared to ruin their manager's reputation.

"The conversations that we had when he first came because he was really happy with how I was playing because I was either starting a game or, if I was not starting, I was the first on.

"He always had this thing of when I was playing well, he would slap the back of my head. He was really happy with me and wanted me to take this into the new season, and then that changed because they signed a new player and we weren't the same story then."

When asked if he tried to have another conversation over his Liverpool future, Ibe added: "I did, but the response was 'I think it's best you leave.'"