Liverpool striker Danny Ings says hard work starts now

Danny Ings says his dream move to Liverpool marks just the start of his hard work.

The England U21 striker will officially join Liverpool on July 1, subject to a medical, when his Burnley contract expires, although the two clubs are yet to agree a compensation fee.

Burnley rejected the initial offer from Liverpool for the 22-year-old, with a Premier League Compensation Committee likely to become involved, but Ings is thinking only of establishing himself at Anfield.

"Words can’t describe the move that I’ve got for myself," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "At the same time, I’ve worked my way up from the bottom so it’s even more special for me. 

"It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to. I’ll never get complacent with anything like that. 

"Now I’ve got that move obviously I’ll work even harder to get into that team and be the best professional I can be."

Ings will move to Merseyside on July 1 where he will wear the number 28 jersey.

He wore 10 at Burnley last term but, even if that number wasn’t occupied by fans favourite Philippe Coutinho, Ings doesn’t believe he would deserve it just yet.

The England U21 international thinks such numbers at clubs like Liverpool are a reward for proven players, which is why he would never dream of taking the number eight vacated by Steven Gerrard or the available seven worn by the likes of Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez.

"I stayed away from the low numbers," Ings said. "You have got to take that pressure off yourself as a young lad coming through. That is what I personally think.

"I would make sure I am established before taking any of those numbers - it is such a huge club. That was the thinking behind it.

"I wouldn't want to go to Liverpool and chuck a shirt on my back like that - it is pressure you don't need. The expectation at clubs like that is huge.

"Obviously I am going to work my socks off to earn that number one day. For now I will take a high number and work hard."

A graduate of the Bournemouth youth system, Ings spent part of the 2010/11 season on loan in the Conference South with Dorchester Town before returning to the Cherries and then moving on to Turf Moor.

Now on the brink of a dream move to Anfield, Ings said he cannot wait to link up with Brendan Rodgers' side.

"Of course it is a boost being a Liverpool player," he said. "I can't wait to get started.

"To work with Brendan Rodgers and the players at Liverpool is an unbelievable dream come true for me, really.

"I can play in a number of positions, on the left, as a number 10, or off the right. The strikers at Liverpool are fantastic and there will be competition.

"The way I looked at it, I will get a lot more game time playing in different positions, learning my trade as a young professional, and I think he is the right manager for that.

"He is good with young players and as soon as I knew he was interested it was a no-brainer and it was best for me to join Liverpool."

The forward is currently on international duty at the U21 European Championships and his new club have decided to give him a three-week break when it is finished.

However, while he accepts he will need a break at some point, Ings may not end up taking the whole three weeks.

"I will be raring to go so I will probably only have two and join up with them on tour because I don't want to be playing catch-up," Ings said.

"I would prefer to be around the squad and ready to go for the start of the season."