Danny Ings excited upon his return to pre-season training with Liverpool.
Liverpool signed Danny Ings from Burnley at the start of last season and the striker made a very promising start to life at Anfield, winning the fans over with a number of committed displays.
Unfortunately though, Ings would have his season cut short after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in training back in October and the setback would keep him out of action for around eight months.
The 23-year-old did make a return to action in time for the final game of last season, the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns, and upon his return he expressed his gratitude towards the Reds’ faithful for their support during his time out with injury.
He had told Liverpool’s official website after the game against West Brom, “It's hard to put into words how much this afternoon meant to me, but it's important to say thank you to the people who made it so special and made it happen.
“The supporters were unreal, absolutely out of this world. I didn't expect them to sing my name after I've been out for that long, but it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.”
Following such a difficult campaign, Ings will undoubtedly be raring to go ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign and the striker returned back to pre-season training with the Reds on Saturday.
Ings was happy to link up with his teammates and posted the following message on social media website Twitter to keep the fans updated regarding his fitness.
The Reds striker has shared pictures and videos of his holiday on social media.
Is Danny Ings having the best lads’ holiday ever?
The Reds striker has shared pictures from his trip to Ibiza on social media, against the backdrop of turquoise sea and a lavish hotel room.
A video on Instagram showed off the I’m on Top of the World suite, at the Ushuaia Hotel, in Sant Jordi de Ses Salines, - three kilometres south of Ibiza town.
The suite will leave most green with envy, and is decked out with wine cellar, American-style bar, meeting room, dressing room and two bathrooms, according to the hotel’s website.
The 23-year-old footballer seems to be enjoying his time away from Merseyside as he soaks up the sun alongside four friends on a boat, in another of his holiday snaps.
In a second clip on Instagram shows Ings dancing along to music in the background, with the caption, “Sometimes the beat controls you”.
Ushuaïa Beach is one of the most exclusive resorts in Ibiza. Its website says guests can look forward to the highest levels of luxury and it will leave them knowing "how the gods feel".
Its club 'The Cloud' is said to be one of the best places to party, where only true VIPs are allowed in. And it has a number of yachts and boats for the use of its guests.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds appear to have a good blend of forward options at present.
It’s been a big issue at Liverpool for each of the past two summers.
Striker. Striker. Striker. Goals. Goals. Goals.
In both 2014 and 2015, the Reds’ transfer window revolved around finding that elusive frontman. They tried – and failed – to replace Barcelona-bound Luis Suarez, and then 12 months later attempted to rectify the previous year’s errors.
No fewer than six forwards have been signed in that period, at a total cost approaching £100m. The results, however, have been mixed. By the time September comes, the likelihood is that three of those six will have been moved on – without profit.
It’s a dangerous cycle, chasing your own mistakes in the transfer market. It can cost you time, money and respect. It’s a cycle Liverpool have been in for too long.
So will the summer of 2016 be the same as those that have preceded it?
Mario Gotze (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Is there any need for a frontman?
On the face of it, it shouldn’t be. Sure, Liverpool intend to be busy, and will look to strengthen both team and squad before the new campaign. It's never quiet at Melwood during the summer months.
They’ve already sealed deals for three players – a goalkeeper, a central defender and a central midfielder – and we know of interest in a left back, another central midfielder and, intriguingly, a Mario Gotze.
The striking front, though, appears quiet.
Yes, the rumour mill will continue to link Liverpool with names. Jamie Vardy and Gonzalo Higuain are just two to have cropped up in recent days. “Nothing in it,” was the word when those stories were checked out. Make of that what you will.
Are Liverpool’s forward options for 2016/17, then, already in place? And if so, are they sufficient?
Leicester City's Jamie Vardy (left) scores his sides first goal of the game during the Barclays Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday February 2, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Leicester. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications
The statistics suggest that goalscoring was not a huge issue for the Reds last season. Their league tally of 63 was only five shy of champions Leicester City, and eight off Manchester City, the Premier League’s top scorers. They managed 14 more than Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United.
The goals were spread, too; five of their squad reached double figures in all competitions.
Four of them will certainly be in Jurgen Klopp’s plans come January. The other, Christian Benteke, faces a battle to convince the manager of his worth, but will not be allowed to leave on the cheap. Add in Danny Ings , fit again after a long-term knee injury, and the Reds look pretty well stocked in terms of goalscorers – even if they are still too reliant on the fragile fitness of Daniel Sturridge for most fans’ liking.
A good blend?
At 26, Sturridge is the veteran of the current crop and much, as ever, will depend on his ability to stay injury-free throughout the course of next season.
He was the Reds’ leading scorer this term, his 13 goals coming from just 19 starts. He’s the best finisher, has the slickest movement and is one of the few players in the squad capable of jaw-dropping, match-winning moments in and around the penalty area. Offer Liverpool 30 games worth of Sturridge next season and they’d bite your hand off.
Daniel Sturridge celebrates with Divock Origi as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium on March 20, 2016 (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
Alongside him Divock Origi’s progression was one of the real highlights of the campaign. The young Belgian grew in stature, presence and composure. Ten goals in his first season in a new country at the age of 20, and from just 15 starts, screams potential. He’ll only get better, you would imagine.
Likewise Roberto Firmino , whose best performances came when asked to play further forward, and whose first year in England will have taught him plenty about the demands of a league like the Premier League – and a club like Liverpool. He’ll be targeting more than his 11 goal tally of last season, and is a huge favourite of Klopp’s.
It looks a good blend, especially with Ings’ pace and willing thrown into the mix.
When chasing up Liverpool’s reported interest in Vardy, one of the reasons given to knock it down was that the club felt they already had a player of such qualities in Ings, who likes to run in behind, works tirelessly and has a decent eye for goal.
The former Burnley man will return to training early this month, and is desperate to make up for time lost last season. His presence in the squad can only benefit the Reds.
In the meantime, then, Klopp and his recruitment team will continue to work.
Unlike previous years, though, their season does not rest on their ability to find the right striker. Just the right goalkeeper, defender, winger and midfielders....
The ongoing saga over how much money we owe Burnley for Danny Ings is finally set to come to a head on Tuesday.
Ings moved to Anfield last summer after his contract with Burnley expired, but because he was under 24-years-old Liverpool were required to pay a compensation fee.
In normal circumstances this fee is agreed upon by the two clubs in question, but problems arose after we valued the striker at £6 million while Burnley felt he was worth £10 million.
As a result, the issue went to a tribunal, and it is thought that a decision will finally be reached during a hearing tomorrow in Manchester (viaEcho).
According to Burnley’s chief executive Dave Baldwin, the amount of money at question is unprecedented in such deals, hence the long delays:
“The reason it is different to the ordinary is this tribunal claim will be the biggest in history,” he said.
“The key to this was that we bring the claim against Liverpool, therefore we had to prepare an extremely robust case.
“You’re talking a documentation bundle of probably in excess of 400 or 500 pages with witness statements, evidence, analytics about player performance, the statement as to why we make a judgment as to what we believe the player is worth, compared to what Liverpool want to offer.”
The Echo claim there is no certainty that a conclusion will be reached tomorrow, but Liverpool are hopeful it will be concluded at some stage this week.
They are the two most successful clubs in the history of English football, winning 38 titles between them, and they are also England’s two most successful continental exports, landing a combined eight European Cups. The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United, though, has never before graced the European stage. Until Thursday, that is.
It may not be the Champions League, but the Europa League Round-of-16 meeting between the two sides from England’s North West will still have plenty riding on it.
“Games like this are the mother of all football games and that's what you want,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said ahead of the matchup at Anfield. “We all love football. In each and every region of the world you have games like this. Maybe not with as big names.
“Liverpool v United is one of the best I can imagine. For me to be a part of it I still can't get enough. It's the best thing imaginable.”
Klopp has insisted from the moment the tie was announced that it is one he is relishing, with it adding spice to a competition that has not always been treated with the utmost importance by English clubs over the years. With both clubs struggling in the Premier League this season, however, the Europa League carries plenty of significance.
For both, winning the competition presents perhaps their best opportunity to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Liverpool currently sit seventh in the Premier League, six points off the top four, while Manchester United are one place and three points better off, although having played a game more.
“You have to win—there is no difference [between a league and a cup game],” Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said. “United and Liverpool is always a big game. It's historical and even bigger now because both teams are fighting for a Champions League place.
“I noticed that you [the English media] have a negative view [of the UEFA Europa League] but against teams like Midtjylland there were how many fans? 58,000. The fans of Manchester United are appreciating it. How many fans do I think we'll have against Liverpool? Maybe 75,000. I think Anfield is also sold out, so that's what I have to say—it's very important for both teams and the fans want to see the duel between us.”
Manchester United required a second-leg fight back to overcome Danish champions Midtjylland in the last round, winning 5-1 at Old Trafford after going down 2-1 in the first match. That victory came as part of a resurgent run of form for United as the pressure on Van Gaal was eased by a four successive victories. But that revival was tempered on Sunday by a 1-0 loss to West Brom.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have now gone four matches unbeaten in the Premier League as they show signs of finding some consistency for the first time since Klopp took over last October. There were plenty of nerves, though, in sealing their place in the Europa League last 16 after a 1-0 win over Augsburg at Anfield sent them through by the same scoreline on aggregate.
Ahead of Thursday’s Round of 16 first leg, Klopp has a significant fitness concern after midfielder James Milner missed training on Wednesday due to a virus. If he does miss out, he would join Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Joe Gomez and Danny Ings on the sidelines.
Manchester United have received a boost, with Antonio Valencia fit to return to the squad, although Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson remain sidelined. Adding to the list of absentees, Jesse Lingard is suspended, while Bastian Schweinsteiger has only just returned to training and is unlikely to feature.
Probable lineups
Liverpool
G: Mignolet
D: Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno
M: Henderson, Can
Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho
F: Sturridge
Manchester United
G: De Gea
D: Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Rojo
M: Schneiderlin, Herrera
Martial, Mata, Memphis
F: Rashford
Kickoff Time: 3:05 p.m. EST
TV Channel: Fox Sports 2
Live Online Stream: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go, ESPN3
Ian Doyle sat down with his Radio Times, his Rothmans (well, Sky Sports) annual and the Racing Post and came up with this.
What time is kick-off?
This is the Europa League, and that can only mean one thing.
Actually it can mean two things, but seeing as the police have put a stop to one of them, we're reduced to just the solitary kick-off time.
Thursday. 8.05pm.
How can I watch it?
Want a ticket? Tough, they've all sold out.
The good news, though, is the match will be broadcast live on the home of European football (according to themselves), BT Sport.
For those who refuse to stump up the cash for a subscription, the ECHO website will be running a live blog from James Pearce, Andy Kelly and our new Head of Sport Dave Prentice at Anfield, with Kristian Walsh and Chris Beesley back at base.
I'm also there and may dip in every now and again with my usual wit, repartee, top-level bantz and unrelenting modesty.
Highlights may also be observed on UEFA Europa League Highlights on ITV1 at 10.40pm.
Carlos Velasco Carballo doing what he does best
Who is the referee?
Carlos Velasco Carballo is the man in the middle. He and his officials are all from Spain.
He's been in charge of one Liverpool game in Europe, the 2-0 Europa League defeat against Zenit St Petersburg in the round of 32 in 2013.
In his last 10 games, he has issued six red cards and 63 yellow cards.
This isn't going to end well, is it?
Who should I look out for in the Manchester United team?
It's anybody's guess what team steps out for the visitors at Anfield.
But one certainty will be the man between the sticks – David de Gea, who it's easy to forget is still only 25.
De Gea is arguably the one world-class player that will feature for United, given Wayne Rooney is injured.
Man of the moment is teenager Marcus Rashford, while Anthony Martial has a bit of previous already against Liverpool.
'Your name is WHAT? Hahahahaha!'
Who is the Manchester United manager?
It's Louis van Gaal, the red wine-supping, touchline-diving, journalist-baiting veteran Dutchman.
While Van Gaal began his playing days at Ajax – failing to break through to the first team – he spent most of his career with Sparta Rotterdam.
He began his managerial career at Ajax where he won the UEFA Cup in 1992 and the Champions League in 1995. At Barcelona he twice won La Liga, and impressively won the Dutch league with AZ Alkmaar and lifted the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
His second spell in charge of Holland was better than the first, finishing third in the World Cup in 2014.
Never mind any of this, though. Perhaps the best fact about van Gaal is his full name is Aloysius Paulus Maria van Gaal.
Any injury news?
Liverpool will be without Danny Ings and Joe Gomez for the season, while Lucas Leiva is out with a thigh problem.
James Milner is struggling with a virus while Jon Flanagan hasn't been included in the Europa League squad.
For United, Jesse Lingard is suspended, Adnan Januzaj is ineligible while Rooney (knee), Luke Shaw (ankle), Ashley Young (groin), Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) and Phil Jones (ankle/face stuck in an amusing pose) are all out.
However, Antonio Valencia could make the bench after more than four months out with an ankle problem.
Don't worry everyone, he's not playing...
What happened the last time the sides met?
Liverpool dominated but United won 1-0 at Anfield in the Premier League in January thanks to Rooney. We don't like to talk about that, though.
Any other interesting stuff I should be aware of?
This is the 195th competitive meeting between English football's two most successful teams, who MUST be referred to as “bitter North West rivals”, with phrases such as “at the other end of the East Lancs Road” and “they have more in common than they care to admit” being liberally penned during the next week or so.
Overall, United have a clear advantage with 79 wins, compared to 64 of Liverpool and 51 draws. United have scored 270 goals to Liverpool's 247.
Liverpool's iffy record against English opposition in Europe is well documented – only four wins in 18 matches with none away from home.
But the last all-English game in the Europa League/UEFA Cup was back in the 1972-73 semi-finals when Liverpool won on away goals against Tottenham Hotspur.
What should I be betting on?
Nothing. Betting's a mug's game.
But none of us truly believe that, so chance your arm (or at least a fiver) on United having a sending-off (4/1 with BoyleSports), Liverpool to score from a penalty (8/1 with PaddyPower) and there to be only one goal in the match (7/3 with BetRight).
Liverpool's revolution under Jürgen Klopp has taken a hit over the last couple of weeks, with a defeat away at Newcastle and a draw at home to West Brom forcing their more excitable supporters into a revision of their title charge predictions. Nevertheless, the Merseysiders will be looking to get back to winning ways away at newly-promoted Watford on Sunday.
The Hornets have adapted to Premier League life superbly under the management of former Atlético Madrid manager Quique Sánchez Flores, and heading into this match at Vicarage Road they actually sit a point and two places higher than Liverpool in the table. Though we can be sure of nothing in this strangest of strange Premier League seasons, Watford are currently on course to comfortably avoid being sucked into the battle at the bottom of the table. On the back of three straight wins, they're very high on confidence, and should make life very difficult for Liverpool.
Key player: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
Philippe Coutinho's bright start to the season suggested he was ready to finally establish himself as one of the Premier League's top players. However, his form has dipped with Liverpool's over the last couple of weeks, and Klopp will be hoping for a better performance from his side's most potent attacking force away at Vicarage Road.
Key matchup: Odion Ighalo vs. Liverpool's defense
No one in English football has scored more goals in 2015 than Watford's Odion Ighalo, and it is perfectly clear by now that the big Nigerian striker is the real deal. His close control and deadly accuracy combines with a magnificent physique to bring him pretty close to the complete forward, and it wouldn't be surprising if he soon found himself plying his trade at a bigger club. In the meantime, Liverpool's defense will be fretting about keeping him quiet.
Watford injuries and suspensions
Out: Joel Ekstrand (knee); Tommie Hoban (groin). In doubt: Valon Behrami, Sebastian Prödl (calf).
Liverpool injuries and suspensions
Out: Jon Flanagan, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings, Dejan Lovren (knee); Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Rossiter (hamstring). In doubt: Mamadou Sakho (knee).
Watford will still be without long-term absentees Ekstrand and Hoban, though will hope Behrami and Prödl pass late fitness tests.
Liverpool's injury list is rather longer: both first-choice center backs Sakho and Lovren are doubtful and absent respectively, with the latter joining long-term absentees Flanagan, Gomez and Ings in the stands. This game will also come too soon for striker Sturridge, who continues to battle with a hamstring problem.
Match date/time: Sun., Dec. 20, 8:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. local
Venue: Vicarage Road, Watford, England
TV: NBCSN (US); Sportsnet World (Canada); Sky Sports 1/HD (UK)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (US - English); NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (US - Spanish); Sportsnet World Now (Canada); Sky Go (UK)
