Danny Ings: I'm putting my Klopp studies into practice
Long-term injury meant Danny Ings could only watch Jürgen Klopp's methods last season – and so the striker is wasting no time in putting them into practice this summer.
The 23-year-old notched his second goal of pre-season to open the scoring at Wigan Athletic on Sunday, hitting the target from close range after being picked out by Lazar Markovic.
A 2-0 result was secured at the DW Stadium when Ben Woodburn ran clear and finished calmly moments later, making it three consecutive victories for the Reds so far.
Merely being back out on the pitch is a sweet feeling for Ings, who missed the majority of 2015-16 due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered ahead of Klopp’s first match in charge last October.
But the Englishman is determined to get back to his best as quickly as possible – and is drawing on what he observed while out of action to make an impression now that he is fit again.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: “The training is very intense, very tactical and we’re learning every day.
“I’m playing catch-up really because I obviously didn’t get to train with [Klopp] and the other staff, and get to see the methods.
“What I did do was watch from the sideline and try to pick up as much as I could. I’m just trying to put that into games now.
“My biggest aim is to get fit and get to how I was before I got injured.”
Ings blasted in the only goal of the match as Liverpool began pre-season with a 1-0 win at Tranmere Rovers earlier this month, and could have had more on the night.
He was thwarted from an early penalty in the next game, at Fleetwood Town last Wednesday, before taking one of several chances against Wigan.
The No.28 feels free to go onto the pitch and express himself, having done all of the hard work in recovering from such a lengthy and challenging spell out.
“I said in a previous interview that it has been a tough time for me, getting fit, and for me now it’s all about getting minutes under my belt and dusting off any cobwebs I had,” said Ings.
“I could have scored a few [at Wigan], as I could have against Tranmere and in the last game. I’m just happy to be out there and feeling sharp.
“Injuries are horrible for every player. I’ve had injuries in the past and I’ve always said that we earn our money when we’re injured, because it’s the hardest time.
“Playing football is the easy part because you’re enjoying it. I’m just glad to be back out there – I can put all that behind me and keep scoring goals.”
Watch Ings and co in their fourth pre-season friendly, against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night, live on LFCTV and LFCTV GO.