Jordon Ibe is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract as Brendan Rodgers prepares to re-launch the exciting teenager ’ s season . Liverpool offered Ibe fresh terms in February after he had a deep impression in a sequence of games , particularly against Everton and Tottenham , that coincided with an improvement in the club ’ s fortunes . A deal has now been agreed and it is simply a case of the highly-regarded Ibe , who has been absent since damaging knee ligaments against Besiktas on February 26 , putting pen to paper . Jordon Ibe in training for Liverpool at Melwood as he prepares to make a return from injury . Ibe is set to sign a new long-term deal at Liverpool after breaking into the first team this season . Rodgers says Ibe , 19 , has looked ‘ absolutely sensational ’ after stepping up his rehabilitation work in the last couple of weeks and he could come straight back into the starting line-up against Newcastle on Monday night . The issue Rodgers must address is whether to stick with the 4-3-3 formation he used at Blackburn in the FA Cup last Wednesday or revert to the 3-4-3 system that had been the catalyst for an improvement in results . One thing Liverpool ’ s manager has conceded , though , is that Daniel Sturridge is unlikely to recapture his very best form this season , given all the injuries he has suffered . Ibe , pictured in action against Tottenham , damaged his knee ligaments while playing against Besiktas . Sturridge , who has only scored four goals in his last 15 games , admitted last week that he felt it would have to wait until the new campaign to show last year ’ s sparkle and his manager agrees , following 12 months in which he has suffered thigh , calf and hip issues . ‘ It ’ s a long time out , ’ said Rodgers . ‘ When you ’ re out for that length of time it maybe takes you the same amount of time to get back again . ‘ The key for him was to get back and be fit but he needs a good pre-season under his belt , a total run at pre-season and hopefully he ’ ll be fine for next season . Until that point we have to maximise what we can get out of him. ’ Brendan Rodgers prepares his Liverpool team for the visit of Newcastle to Anfield on Monday . Daniel Sturridge is yet to rediscover his best form since returning from a lengthy injury lay off . Rodgers added : ‘ Every player is different . With Daniel there ’ s been a number of injuries that he ’ s had and that ’ s before he came here . He had a fairly sustained run last season and served us well but this season has been difficult . ‘ He just needs to find a way to physically and mentally try to keep himself as fit as he can but sometimes that isn ’ t all down to you — sometimes it ’ s about luck as well . ’
Jordon Ibe to put pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Ibe . The 19-year-old broke into the first team before falling injured . Ibe has been out since February after damaging his knee ligaments . The youngster could make a return against Newcastle on Monday . Brendan Rodgers concedes that Daniel Sturridge will not rediscover his best form this season after a number of injury problems .