'I Played Under Klopp at Liverpool - Now I'm Earning £400 a Game in Baller League

In brief
The season of KSI’s Baller League began with a number of well-known participants.
One team, led by Chelsea veteran John Terry, featured a former Liverpool player.
According to reports, the footballer, who had made almost £35,000 a week, now makes £400 every game.
Social media and football are two things that are closely related. The two are so connected that you can’t have one without the other, whether it’s charity matches, fan channel replies, or significant game moments that go viral. Influencers have responded by attempting to alter the sport’s landscape in whichever way they can; the “Baller League” is the most recent example of this.

The UK version of the competition, led by YouTube sensation KSI, made its debut on Sky Sports after making waves in Germany. Teams led by a number of well-known figures in the online community competed in six-a-side matches that also included rules like “gamechangers” that could help or hurt teams.

Along with the flood of YouTubers and influencers on exhibit, some well-known figures from the professional football industry also made an appearance, serving as managers with John Terry and Alisha Lehmann. One player, meanwhile, who supporters were taken aback to see on the pitch was one who played in Jurgen Klopp’s very first Liverpool match less than ten years ago.

Jordon Ibe Makes Baller League Debut

The former Liverpool is reportedly pocketing £400 per game

The aforementioned John Terry witnessed his team, the ’26ers,’ lose 5-2 to SDS FC, led by Beta Squad member Sharky, in the opening round of the Baller League. But keen-eyed Liverpool supporters may have noticed a familiar face in Terry’s lineup: Jordan Ibe, a former Reds youngster.

The winger, who wore number 33 for both Bournemouth and Liverpool, was spotted on the pitch at the Copper Box Arena but was unable to score as his team lost badly. He and his manager did, however, have a cordial exchange that went viral on social media. The former Chelsea captain was shown walking to the changing room with his arm wrapped around the attacker.

John Terry with a classy gesture to Jordon Ibe ❤️ pic.twitter.com/awHNddqTd8

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) March 24, 2025

According to reports, each player participating in the tournament would receive £400 for each game they play. Given that the league will last for 11 weeks, Ibe may make £4,400. The ‘Final Four Day,’ when the top four teams compete for the championship, is not included in this.

Ibe has previously earned upwards of £35,000 per week at various points in his career, so this is a far cry from what he has now earned.

Jordon Ibe’s Career

The once hotly tipped youngster now features in non-league football

As early as 2013, Ibe’s career appeared to be headed for greatness, with expectations that he might play for England in the 2022 World Cup. After Ibe moved to Manchester City, football analyst John Aldridge even speculated that he would overtake Raheem Sterling as the fervour for him increased. “Liverpool has a top replacement in Jordon Ibe,” Aldridge said, praising Ibe’s potential. He has a tonne of talent and is an excellent player.

But then something unexpected happened. Due to Liverpool’s dismal start to the 2015–16 campaign, manager Brendan Rodgers was fired, and Jurgen Klopp took over. Ibe had less opportunities under Klopp’s new strategy, mostly playing in the Europa League. Ibe spent more than £15 million to move to Bournemouth a year later in search of consistent first-team involvement.

The forward’s problems in front of goal persisted even after Bournemouth assigned him a more offensive role. He made 92 appearances with the Cherries but only managed five goals. He made very few appearances by the 2019–20 season, making just two appearances in his last season with the team.

Ibe made a major drop in level when he joined Ebbsfleet United in the National League in 2023 after stints at Derby County and in Turkey. He did, however, have a brief debut before being let go as the team barely averted relegation. Later, he signed with Hungerford Town, a team in the seventh division of English football, where his signing attracted a lot of interest.

Mental health problems added to the forward’s difficulties. In a touching Instagram post in 2021, he courageously shared his struggles with depression. Despite going through personal challenges, Ibe showed a strong will to overcome them with the help of his family. As a result, he is now back playing football on a national level, but it is a totally different one than most people would recognise him from.

Career statistics for Jordan Ibe

Club

Games

Objectives

The Bournemouth

Liverpool

County of Derby

Wanderers of Wycombe

11.

One

City of Birmingham

11.