Injured Ings hopes to prove ‘dedication’ to Klopp

Danny Ings insists Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has nothing to worry about with regards to his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

The 23-year-old, who signed from Burnley in the summer, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his first training session under new boss Jurgen Klopp – just days after he made his England debut in the 3-0 win over Lithuania.

It was a hammer blow for Ings, who is still awaiting the transfer tribunal that will set his fee for his move to Anfield, after getting into the Liverpool first team in September and scoring three goals.

“My dream as a child was to play for England and to represent my country and I got that opportunity,” Ings told the Daily Express.

“I had just got my foot in the door and all of sudden it was slammed on my toes.

“But I don’t think that dream is over for me. I am not one of those guys who gets a cap and I am going to fall away now.

“Hopefully when I am fit I can get back in the manager’s thoughts and see where it takes me. He left a voicemail message for me and some texts. It gives me fire in my belly to go again.”

Ings has not put a timescale on his return, but he is determined not to rush his rehabilitation and is aiming to come back stronger.

“When you do get injured that is when you really earn your money because you are in the gym and having to fight to get yourself physically ready to go back in and get back to the standard,” added Ings.

“Being here at Liverpool it is going to be important to make sure I’m eating right, sleeping right, taking my vitamins, doing my gym work, icing my knee and resting every day.

“Otherwise you are playing catch up. You have to be more dedicated when you are injured because there is more of a mountain to climb to reach the top.

“I think he (Jurgen Klopp) knows he doesn’t have to worry about me slacking off.”