Liverpool have been dealt a blow with the news that Danny Ings requires surgery on his right knee following the EFL Cup fourth-round tie with Tottenham Hotspur last week.
Jürgen Klopp says Ings’ injury was picked up when attempting to make a challenge in the closing stages of the game at Anfield and it’s likely to mean the Reds are without the striker’s services for a period of between seven and nine months following the operation.
The operation, which will take place today in London, will correct the damage from the challenge to the cartilage in his knee. It is not in the same knee in which the 24-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2015.
Klopp said: “To say we are gutted would be an understatement; he is such a great boy and has worked so hard that he deserves better luck than this”.
“It is typical of Danny’s personality, on and off the pitch, that he picked up this injury to his knee when courageously trying to win the ball back for his team by making a tackle”.
“But it is this same personality that means he will come back as good and as strong from this latest setback as he has done in the past”.
“I’m told the likely lay off is anywhere from between seven to nine months. He is mentally strong, physically strong and will have the very best treatment and rehab possible to make sure when he returns he is ready to play for us at the level we know he is capable of.”