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Forget Sturridge And Benteke – Liverpool Need This Striker Next Season?

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By Dakir Thanveer

Liverpool fans are excited to see who Jurgen Klopp will be bringing in to Liverpool this summer. This is Jurgen Klopp’s first summer transfer window with Liverpool and it is expected that there will be quiet a number of incomings and outgoings at Liverpool. Klopp has already brought Goalkeeper, Loris Karius. Klopp had signed two players in January who will be joining the squad soon. Joel Matip was signed on a pre-contract deal in January and he will be moving the Reds in July. Midfielder, Marko Grujic, was bought for a fee of about 6 Million from Red Star Belgrade but was immediately loaned back to them. Grujic will also be joining the club soon.
So, that is three new players at Liverpool and few more are expected to come. Other than that, there are two Liverpool players who are already in the squad, but can be considered as new signings. Danny Ings and Joe Gomez, who got injured this season, will be returning from their injuries and will be hoping to get back to their best during Liverpool’s pre-season tour to USA. Joe Gomez, who suffered a season ending anterior cruciate ligament injury, has returned to slight training and he will be stepping up his recovery by joining the squad for pre-season training soon.

Joe Gomez was very impressive for Liverpool before he got injured, so was Danny Ings. And in this article we will be focusing on what Danny Ings can bring to the team.

Danny Ings joined Liverpool from Burnley last season for a free transfer. But, Liverpool had to pay a developmental fee of 8 Million as he was under 24 years old. With Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi in the squad Ings had to wait for sometime to get a chance. Ings made his Liverpool debut on 29th August 2015 in the 3-0 defeat against West Ham. He made his European debut for the club against Bordeaux on September 17th when he came on as a substitute for Divock Origi. Just three days later, he scored his first goal for the club against Norwich. He came on as a substitute for Christian Benteke at half time and it took him only three minutes to find the back of the net. On October 15, in his first training session under Jurgen Klopp, Ings suffered anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. This was a very sad news for Liverpool for two reasons. One is that Ings was in top form and it looked like he was going to score more goals in the coming games. Secondly, after his injury no striker was available for Liverpool.

Many football pundits and Liverpool fans consider Ings as a perfect ‘Klopp Guy’. Since, Ings was bought by Liverpool from a relegated side like Burnley no one really fancied him. He was considered as just a backup option for Liverpool’s other three strikers. But, Ings proved his doubters wrong in just nine matches for Liverpool. Ings scored three goals in nine matches for Liverpool in all competitions. But, this is just a stat. Liverpool fans started loving him for what he did on the pitch. Ings gives his all when playing and always gives his 110% and that is why he qualifies to be a perfect ‘Klopp Guy’. Klopp doesn’t fancy big names, Klopp fancies players with determination and that is what Ings is about. Ings was ruled out for the remainder of the season, but his determination and passion for the game was seen when he returned to full fitness earlier than expected. It was expected that Ings will only return for the pre-season training, but the determined 23 year old was not willing to give up. Ings returned to full training in May and even made an appearance for Liverpool against West Bromwich in the final game of the season.

Ings is a pacey striker with good stamina. This helps him to press the opponent defenders and he always succeeds in giving a tough time for the opposition. Ings is a good dribbler of the ball and has good balance with ball at his feet. If you ask Ings what makes him think that he is good striker, he will show you his goal record for Burnley. The Englishman set the the English Championship on fire in 2013. Ings is a good finisher and has also can score with his head. His passing and vision is something that he has to work on, but other than that Ings is a top notch player.
It is expected that Christian Benteke will leave Liverpool. So, that leaves Liverpool with Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings (Mario Balotelli also expected to leave). Out of these three strikers, Sturridge and Origi are comparable players. Both of them are pacey strikers with quick feet, but Ings provides Liverpool a different dimension. His determination and passion drives him, and it is always a joy to see such players play the beautiful game.

The Liverpool fans already love him and Klopp will love him too. Bring on the pre-season tour and we might be able to see Ings banging in some goals. It is expected that Danny Ings will have an important role to play under Jurgen Klopp next season.