Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to Danny Ings after he completed a move away from the club.
The former Burnley striker joined Southampton on deadline day on an initial one-year loan that will be made permanent next year.
The 26-year-old’s career at Anfield was severely hampered by injuries, having made just 25 appearances and scoring two goals.
The Red’s manager has praised the striker and reveals that everyone at the club will miss him.
“It is a very strange feeling saying goodbye to Danny. The biggest emotion is how much we will miss him,” Klopp told the Liverpool official website.
“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.
“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.”
OPINION
This is pure class from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. He didn’t need to say all this about an outgoing player, he’s got enough to worry about and is obviously very busy preparing the team for their opening Premier League fixture. However, for Klopp to go out of his way and say such nice things about Ings is a show of respect and it shows why players want to play under his leadership as he’s a great leader and players love to play under him. He shows players trust, love and backs them through whatever situation that arises, which is what happened with Ings and his long-term knee injury. Ings has the ability to make a real impact in the Premier League, he’s now swapped Anfield for St. Mary’s and he can now really hit the ground running and show his true quality after his career has been put on hold in recent years with big injury issues. I’m sure not only Jurgen Klopp but the Reds fans will also wish Ings well with his new club.
