Jurgen Klopp has sent an emotional goodbye message to Danny Ings after the forward completed a last minute switch to Southampton.
Klopp, describing his feelings towards the 26-year old move as strange, says Ings has always been full of character and energy despite the attacker returning to full action towards the end of last season.
“It is a very strange feeling saying goodbye to Danny. The biggest emotion is how much we will miss him. He is such an outstanding boy. Honestly, if you could bottle character and spirit, his would sell worldwide – he is so incredibly positive and full of energy. But we won’t just miss his character because he is a footballer who has all the tools.” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website.
“What is clear is that in his time here he had zero luck really, certainly in my time. Before joining I tried to watch as many games on tape as I could from the season so far and Danny Ings stood out as someone I was really looking forward to coaching. We all know his story and the bad luck he has had since then. It’s why the other emotion is that of being pleased for Danny that he has such a good move and his future is now very bright.” the German continued in his message to Danny.
Klopp revealed that they could not stand on his way after Ings suggested moving away from Anfield in order to seek the first-team action.
“When he said to us he thinks this is the window it might be best to look elsewhere, for the sake of his career and playing more regular football, it was clear early on that Southampton has great appeal to him personally. It’s his home, his family is there, it’s his boyhood club.” the former Borussia Dortmund coach added.
“They have a great manager and I think the supporters and him will feed off each other’s passion and energy. So we say farewell to a friend, but for Danny, I know the best chapters in his personal story are still to be written. He is as fit now as at any point of his career I would bet and he just requires the opportunity.
“He has that opportunity and on behalf of his Liverpool family we say good luck Danny and we will miss you.” the boss concluded.
Ings started his career in the youth team of Southampton but was released as a schoolboy. He subsequently joined AFC Bournemouth, progressing through their youth system, while also spending time at Dorchester Town on loan. In 2011 Ings joined Burnley with whom he won the 2013–14 Championship Player of the Year, and helped them achieve promotion to the Premier League. Following Burnley’s relegation, and the expiry of his contract with the club, Ings moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2015, but his first season at Anfield was ended after two months due to injury. His second season with Liverpool was also mired by injury, with Ings only making two League Cup appearances throughout the 2016–17 season. Ings joined Southampton on loan on 9 August 2018.
Formerly an under-21 international, Ings made his senior debut for England in October 2015.
Off the field, Ings has gained a reputation for charitable acts. In November 2014, he launched and funded the Danny Ings Disability Sport Project to provide football coaching to children with disabilities and learning difficulties after being inspired to do so by a young disabled Burnley fan. His father Shayne Ings initially played as a winger and then as a full back for Hampshire-based Netley Central Sports. He still works as a self-employed bricklayer and the family still live in the same house in Netley