Ings: The goal meant a lot, but I'm disappointed
Danny Ings may have scored for the first time in 930 days on Saturday, but he left The Hawthorns ‘disappointed’ after Liverpool ceded a two-goal cushion to draw with West Bromwich Albion.
Forward Ings slammed home from close range to give the Reds an early lead over the Baggies, with that strike representing his first for the club since October 2015.
And, when Mohamed Salah added a second and his record-equalling 31st Premier League goal of the season in the 72nd minute, it appeared that Jürgen Klopp’s team would claim a comfortable win.
However, late goals from Jake Livermore and Salomon Rondon snatched a point for the hosts, leaving Ings to reflect on a frustrating end to an afternoon that started so brightly - both personally and collectively.
“[I’m] disappointed, it’s always about the team. It’s alright scoring goals but overall you want the three points and we didn’t manage to get that today so it’s disappointing,” the No.28 told Sky Sports.
Ings was withdrawn midway through the second half and watched from the bench as West Brom launched their fightback in the final 10 minutes.
“I just think they gathered some momentum. It was quite tricky conditions, the pitch was very dry and it suited the long ball,” the 25-year-old said.
“They’ve got some physical players up there, some quality players up there and it really benefited them. With the crowd [as well] they gathered momentum and managed to get two goals.”
And Ings felt the blow of seeing three points turn into one more keenly than the elation of netting himself.
“A lot, as you can imagine,” he replied, when asked to sum up what it meant to score.
“I’ve been working so hard for the last two years for that moment. It’s been a hell of a mountain that I’ve had to climb to get in that position and I’m just glad that I’m around it right now with the lads.
“I’m getting some game time [and] today’s definitely a positive step for me, but I would’ve preferred the three points, that’s for sure.”
On the long journey he has been on to return to the first-team picture at Anfield, Ings continued: “I think when you’re out for a long time there’s always doubts, so it’s important that you surround yourself with people that are positive and my teammates, the club, the staff, the fans, everybody’s been fantastic.
“I think that’s really helped push me through to get to the shape that I’m in today. It would have been easy to give up but I’ve never lost faith and here I am today. I just want to build on that and contribute to the team as much as I can.”