“I departed Liverpool for $19 million nine years ago – and now I’m playing in the seventh tier”

Reflecting on the team that played in Jurgen Klopp’s first match as Liverpool manager provides a clear sense of how far the club has come in the past decade.

The goalless draw against Tottenham in October 2015 featured several players who would soon depart. Nathaniel Clyne, Alberto Moreno, and Mamadou Sakho were among those who didn’t last long under Klopp as the German manager took the team to greater heights.

The two substitutes that day also didn’t remain at Liverpool for long, though one of them did bring in a decent fee for the club.

Jordon Ibe was one of those substitutes, coming on for Philippe Coutinho. At the time, the winger was viewed as a promising talent, but his career didn’t pan out as he might have hoped.

Less than a year after that match, Ibe moved to Bournemouth for a reported $19m (£15m) fee, where he spent four years and made 92 appearances. In 2020, he transferred to Derby County but made just one appearance before his contract was mutually terminated after he spoke about dealing with depression.

In January 2022, Ibe joined Turkish club Adanaspor on a three-and-a-half-year deal, but he left the second-tier team after just a few months without making any appearances.

After a year away from football, Ibe returned to play in England’s non-league system, with stints at Ebbsfleet United and Hayes & Yeading United. He has now signed with Hungerford Town, a club in the seventh tier.

The Southern League Premier Division South team confirmed Ibe’s arrival on Tuesday, with the former Liverpool player—now 29—looking to get back to regular play.

“It is an honour to Hungerford Town for taking me in and believing in my dream,” Ibe shared on the club’s website. “It is time to buckle down and show the ability that I still have. With hard work, it can take you anywhere.”

Liverpool.com wishes Ibe the best at Hungerford and hopes he can rediscover his love for the game after a challenging few years. His journey highlights how difficult it can be for players, even those who have played for top clubs and made significant moves.