Ings, Klopp ‘distraught’ as striker out for season

Danny Ings has suffered another knee injury which is likely to render his season for Liverpool over.

Ings missed much of the 2015/16 season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in his left knee in training.

The striker featured just eight times before the injury, with each appearance coming under former manager Brendan Rodgers. He did not play under Jurgen Klopp until the final game of the season against West Brom, where he came on as a second-half substitute.

Ings was hoping to break through into first-team contention under Klopp this season as he continued his full recovery, but has yet to even be named on the bench for a Premier League game.

He has appeared in the EFL Cup however, and picked up his most recent injury in the 2-1 win over Tottenham last week.

Ings played just 22 minutes of the game at Anfield, but suffered ‘serious cartilage damage in his right knee’ during the victory.

An initial diagnosis suggests that the 24-year-old’s recovery time will be seven months, which essentially sidelines him for the remainder of the season.

The player is currently in London, and will undergo surgery after seeing a specialist.

Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph writes:

‘The player is naturally distraught, as are his team mates and manager Klopp. Ings is one of the most popular players at Melwood and it was felt it was only a matter of time before he made an impact.

‘Although his chances were limited, his professionalism and approach in reserve games – where he has been outstanding – made it seem a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ he’d get a chance in the Premier League.’