Liverpool striker Ings begins long road to recovery

Joe Williams

Liverpool striker Danny Ings has returned to the club’s Melwood training ground to begin rehabilitation on a season-ending knee injury.

For the second time in just over 12 months the forward has undergone surgery on a knee problem.

The latest issue is not related to the one which kept him out from mid-October until the last game of the season, but is expected to keep him sidelined for seven to nine months.

Liverpool confirmed the 24-year-old was back at their training ground on Wednesday to start the recovery process after undergoing what manager Jurgen Klopp on Friday described as “very positive” surgery on damaged cartilage in London last week.

“To say we are gutted would be an understatement; he is such a great boy and has worked so hard that he deserves better luck than this,” Klopp said.

“He is mentally strong, physically strong and will have the very best treatment and rehab possible to make sure when he returns he is ready to play for us at the level we know he is capable of.

“His surgery was very positive, rehab has started already. The team has to show how strong we are in waiting for him.

“We will give him all the time he needs then when he’s back he’ll be a Liverpool player, 100 percent.”