Danny Ings isn’t the type of signing that will see you running down the street and pumping your fist in the air, but he can certainly add to a team that lacks natural goalscorers.
Last season was terrible to watch for numerous reasons but the obvious one was the lack of goals. There were days when we simply couldn’t put together the pass in the final third or there were days when we actually created plenty of chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
What made it even more difficult to endure was the fact we had just come off a season where we watched Luis Suárez, Daniel Sturridge and co. produce over 100 goals in the Premier League.
Before I go any further, I’m certainly not suggesting Ings will be the answer, but he certainly can help increase the depressing goal tally of 52 in the Premier League come next season.
Ings had a very solid 2014-15 season with Burnley who happened to finish second-last in the Premier League season, sending them back to the Championship.
It was always going to be mission impossible for Burnley, but it has given the likes of Ings the chance to show how he can compete in the top league in England.
Scoring an impressive 11 goals in the league campaign, he showed his class in a side that didn’t particularly play to his strengths and didn’t create a whole lot of chances.
I do enjoy watching the newly promoted sides when they first arrive so I managed to watch quite a bit of Burnley.
What was apparent early on was Ings had a good eye for goal, but that wasn’t the only thing. His work rate was tremendous which saw him press high up the pitch and try and win the ball early.
Also his speed should be mentioned. Brendan Rodgers likes his sides to press and play with pace, Ings certainly does that. We saw Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert lead the line for Liverpool numerous times last season and you could see they just didn’t fit the way Rodgers wanted to play.
The whole tempo of the play slowed down and they couldn’t stretch the opposition defences. The point I’m trying to make is, Ings suits the way Liverpool want to play and that’s important.
It would be fair to say that he hasn’t been given a warm welcome from the supporters. The question I ask is why?
He hasn’t kicked a ball for the club as of yet and people are already writing him off. I certainly don’t expect people to feel overwhelmed with his arrival but you can’t predict he is going to be a failure yet.
Look at Sturridge. Not many believed he would go on and become one of the key men at Anfield. He was given the chance and he took it with both hands.
You just never know what Ings could produce and that’s what excites me. He’s the type of lad who will give his life to try and turn into a success at Anfield and we should appreciate that.
Looking away from his footballing ability, he funds the Danny Ings Disability Sports Project which gives football coaching to disabled youngsters.
That’s the type of person I want playing for my football club. Modern day footballers are always criticised for not giving enough back to the community and are only interested in a big pay day, not this Ings though.
“It’s not about the money for me, it’s about seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces,” he said.
The man has a big heart and doesn’t focus on himself. At this moment in time we need players who are going to fight for the shirt and you get the feeling you will get that from Ings.
At only 22, Ings can only improve. Strong, quick, intelligent and a wonderful work rate, he has the attributes to succeed in the current Liverpool setup.
As a fan base we should get behind him and show why we are the best fans in the world. He certainly won’t be our number one forward option in the window, but I do genuinely believe he can add something to our wonderful football club.
