Danny Ings exclusive: Liverpool are a force under Jurgen Klopp
Sunday 14 August 2016 18:32, UK
Danny Ings has exclusively told Sky Sports that Liverpool are a force going into Jurgen Klopp's first full Premier League season at Anfield.
Klopp led Liverpool to an eighth-place finish and to the final of the EFL Cup and Europa League last season, but striker Ings suffered an injury in the German's first training session in October after replacing Brendan Rodgers.
Ings, who missed the majority of the 2015/16 term with the knee injury, says Klopp's training sessions are ruthless, something he believes works perfectly for Liverpool's style.
Ings told Sky Sports: "[Klopp] is ruthless with his work-rate, which is great for us as professionals because that's what we're paid to do, we're paid to work hard.
"The way he trains is intense, very tactical, and it's good to be a part of. You could see the lads developing as a team, and now that's he's got a pre-season under his belt he should be stronger.
"He's very passionate about the game, and if you're not matching that passion on the pitch you're going to have a problem. Everyone has bought in to his methods and we're a force at the moment.
"I don't want to put pressure on the team but I can see us doing very, very well this season. We've got a very good understanding of what the manager wants."
Ings admits his absence from the side was tough to deal with, the injury coming just a week after scoring in the Merseyside derby against Everton.
He scored three goals in his nine appearances in total for Liverpool, and the 24-year-old is raring to go under Klopp, a manager he believes appreciates his own work-rate and determination.
"The last six to nine months has been tough for myself. It was really bad luck really, so it's great to be back.
"It was his first training session, a turn I would have done thousands of times before, and my knee went. I didn't think I had an injury at first until I had the scan.
"It was disappointing not to work with him sooner, but I managed to pick a few things up whilst watching the lads and seeing his methods.
"I base my game on work-rate and determination, that's what has helped me work up the leagues in previous years. I'm like that with any manager, and you can see how passionate he is and he can see how passionate I am, especially now that I'm back.
"I wouldn't be surprised with this manager if a striker scores two goals in one game, he finds another striker more suited to the next opponents.
"He's really big in having everyone in the team, and that's why he's been such a successful manager. He likes to have everyone in tip-top shape."
After his first pre-season with the club yielded positive results, the expectation on Klopp's side is high for the coming season, which kicks off against Arsenal live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Super Sunday at 4pm.
Ings is not in the predictions business, but says the pace in the Liverpool team, matched with what he describes as "controlled flair", means they are in good shape.
"There's a lot of pace in the team, a lot of flair, but controlled flair. We are learning tactical shapes, things he wants us to do that we didn't do last year, and it's working from the games we've played in pre-season.
"I wouldn't like to put a finger on it [where Liverpool could finish]. We should take each game as it comes. We've got such a fantastic squad now and I think [people can see we are a force to be reckoned with."
Live Nissan Super Sunday
Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday show will be simulcast across six channels and digital outlets this weekend, enabling more fans than ever before to follow the drama of the opening day of the Premier League season. Read more here.
