Liverpool started the season in blistering form, and save for the unfortunate defeat at the hands of Burnley and a draw against Tottenham, the Reds have dominated and won 6 league games almost with ease. In the process, they have bagged 20 goals – the joint-highest, and what makes it even more impressive is that they did it without a recognized striker.
Firmino’s form has seen the Brazilian lead the line in a false 9 role, and a return of 3 goals thus far isn’t totally poor, especially when you have Coutinho, Mane, Lallana and even makeshift left-back James Milner, also providing 15 goals in between them.
The striking duo of Origi and Sturridge are yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League with the few chances afforded them, and while their incompetence might not be an issue, Liverpool could do with the introduction of another striker in Danny Ings, who is rated at €13.4 Million by the CIES Football Observatory.
Since arriving from Burnley last summer, the 24-year-old has only made 6 league appearances, with 2 goals to his name. He has spent more time on the treatment table than he has in action for the Reds, yet his quality cannot be doubted. Else, he would have been long gone this summer as Jurgen Klopp sorted his squad out and discarded those whom he considered surplus to requirements.
The English striker has continued his rehabilitation with the under-23’s and has put in enough work already, proving he is ready to get back to the 1st team and challenge for a spot in the starting XI. Ings is set to return to action this midweek when Liverpool face Tottenham in the EFL having trained with the senior team in Melwood on Sunday morning, and just maybe he could be set to make an instant impact upon his return.
At 24 and with over 60 professional goals, Danny Ings definitely is a striking force to reckon with, and he scored a superb goal against Leicester under-23 last month to prove he still got the quality that made him land 21 Championship goals while with Burnley to fire them to the Premier League. It has taken him almost a year to achieve a considerable level of fitness and readiness to earn promotion back to the senior team following the damage on his anterior cruciate ligament, but that shows a lot of dedication and hard work on his part – one Klopp has promised to repay, and could do so this Tuesday.
Liverpool can definitely do with extra legs up front, and Danny Ings has got what it takes to step into the role. Apart from the fact that he has a lot to prove in order to make a lasting impression on Klopp, the one-time capped England international sure can contribute to the team’s overall success this term. His qualities speak volume.
A pacey goal poacher like him with a sharp eye for the goals, settling well into the high-tempo style shouldn’t be an issue. And with Origi and Sturridge struggling to find their rhythms, Ings will be a perfect backup off the bench.
A fine form could even see Klopp revert to a double-man striking formation, or force him to find a way to fit the striker into his plan just to get needed results. Do Liverpool really need a striker? Maybe not, but they sure can do with a Danny Ings as the wear and tear of a gruelling campaign starts to set in.
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