Friday 22 July 2016 10:54, UK
Liverpool striker Danny Ings says he has to make up for lost time with manager Jurgen Klopp after nine months out due to injury.
The England international ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last October during Klopp's first training session as Liverpool manager, but has made a scoring return since coming back into the first-team fold.
A goal in his first game back against Tranmere and another strike against Wigan has put Ings in contention for a starting place when the new season starts, but the 23-year-old admitted he is playing catch-up after such a long period out.
"I want to be tactically more aware of what the manager wants from me because with the year out, I didn't have as much time to work with him whereas other players have," Ings told the club website.
"So for me, this tour is all about learning as much as I can, getting as fit as I can and trying to prove myself every day."
Ings has travelled to America with the rest of the first team and revealed his lengthy spell on the sidelines was hard to take when he was in such excellent form for club and country.
"I feel like I am back to myself now enjoying my football. I feel I’ve put the dark days behind me now."
"For me, every pre-season - every day, in fact - is just as important as another, but it's more exciting for me this summer because I feel like I've had a year out, which I basically have.
"When I got injured last October, I felt I was just finding my feet, just getting settled into the team and I had just made my debut for my country - it was the best week followed by the worst week of my career.
Klopp heads into the new campaign with several strikers to choose from, including rising star Divock Origi and injury-prone Daniel Sturridge, but Ings feels he is fast-approaching peak condition once again.
"In the pre-season games so far this summer, I feel I've looked as sharp as I've ever looked in the last couple [of matches].
"I am a lot more confident now and have taken a couple of whacks on my knee, which is also good for me.
"I feel like I am back to myself now enjoying my football. I feel I've put the dark days behind me now."
