Danny Ings Taken Off As Precaution In Injury Scare

Liverpool’s squad seems to be perpetually in a state of looking forward to the day when “Player X makes his long-awaited return from injury.” Two big names currently unavailable for duty are Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne, and both are unlikely to return in the near future. Danny Ings had been one of the more encouraging stories as he continues his own long road to recovery, but that journey may have hit a bump today.

Ings had been diligently working his way toward health with the Liverpool U23s, and today was no different as Neil Critchley’s squad took on their Manchester City counterparts. Having been heavily involved in the early action and taking a few lumps in the process, Ings seemed to indicate to the bench that he was ailing after the half hour mark. He was removed at the 36 minute mark, with Yan Dhanda coming on in his place.

Following the match, the club quoted Critchley as saying that the substitution was “more a precaution than anything,” and that “[Ings] felt something very early in the game and he wasn't quite right, so we're not taking any chances with Danny and there are plenty of first-team games to come.”

Since arriving from Burnley, Ings has had a terrible run of luck with injuries, and has been unavailable for first team duties for much of Jürgen Klopp’s tenure. With Divock Origi on loan in Germany, out-and-out striker options after Daniel Sturridge consist primarily of Dominic Solanke and . . . that’s it. With lots of matches coming up in various competitions, Ings’ availability would be a nice boost.

Fortunately for Liverpool, that possibility might still be on track. After the match, which the Liverpool U23s won 1-0, Critchley noted that “we’ll just look after him and assess him, but I'm sure he'll be fine."