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Phil Thompson seems less concerned about the potential departure of Liverpool's Raheem Sterling than most.
Sterling was recently offered a new Anfield deal worth a reported £100,000-a-week, but rejected the offer and has shelved further talks until the summer.
But former Liverpool defender Thompson says the Reds have a top-class replacement waiting in the wings in Jordon Ibe.
The 61-year-old told Sky Sports: “With all the hullabaloo about Sterling and whether he’ll be signing his contract or not, if he does decide to cut and run from Liverpool, well then we’ve got another youngster on the production line.
“Ibe has got a lot of potential on various different scales.
"Ability-wise he’s top class. He’s got dribbling ability, he’s got the final ball and he can score goals."
Ibe is back in the Liverpool squad for Monday's visit of Newcastle after recovering from injury as the Reds bid to close the gap to fourth-place Manchester City at Anfield.
