England international Danny Ings has effectively ruled out a winter exit from Liverpool by suggesting that he still has a ‘bit part to play’ for the club.
The 25-year-old is currently looking to regain his match fitness after enduring a succession of long-term knee injuries.
Ings made his first Liverpool appearance in nearly a year in the 2-0 League Cup defeat to Leicester City in September, but he has yet to make a Premier League comeback under Jurgen Klopp. Speaking to The Times, the marksman believes he still has the mind-set to play for the Reds, thereby ruling out a potential move elsewhere.
He said: “Everywhere I have been, I have always found a way to make it happen. I have been in a lot of tough situations at previous clubs where it has been hard to break in. People from the outside looking in will probably have the assumption, ‘Oh, he’s the forgotten man’ but it has not crossed my mind at all. I still believe in myself. I still believe I can play in this team. I still feel like I have a big part to play in this football club.”
Jurgen Klopp has swapped between Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge in the opening part of the campaign, and Ings may probably have to contend with limited action from the bench. Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United have been recently linked with the former Burnley man, but his latest comments suggest that he could turn down a winter move to Elland Road.
Liverpool have made an indifferent start to the season with just three victories in their opening seven games, and this sees them placed seventh on the table with 12 points. The Reds are already seven points behind leaders Manchester City, and they have a difficult-looking clash against Manchester United to contend following the international break.