Danny Ings has been speaking about his nightmare injury-affected season.
The Englishman had just broken into Hodgson’s England set-up and was coming into good form when he was sidelined by a knee ligament injury almost immediately after Klopp’s arrival.
He eventually got back on the pitch in our final game of the season when he replaced Jordon Ibe in the 64th minute of our 1-1 draw with West Brom.
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In a candid interview (cited on Echo), he says he thinks he put his time in the treatment room to good use:
“I couldn’t change the fact that I did my ACL, but I could control how I reacted to it. That’s what I focused on, becoming stronger mentally and physically, but I also used the time to learn,” he enthused.
“I paid attention to the counter-pressing, which suits my game so much, and how and when to use it.”
“I saw how much work happens off the ball, the compact defending so you don’t allow the opposition to break, and the movement required from the strikers.
“Every game I watched was as a supporter, encouraging the lads, but I also took everything I could from them.”
Finally, he had a word for the fans:
“I appreciate it when supporters throw themselves behind the team,” he said. !And I’m sure for them, they appreciate it when they see a player who is going to give everything he can of himself for the club
!I want to give 100 per cent every day whether it’s training, a cup final or a friendly. Football is not just a game, it means the world to me and I’m so thankful of what it has given to me and my family, so every opportunity I get, I want to give my all in return.”