Liverpool freshman plotting humble course to Kop adoration

No doubt two distinct schools of thought will arise after Danny Ings’ latest comments, ahead of the striker’s July 1st arrival as a Liverpool player.

Speaking to journalists at the Euro U21 Championships the former Burnley frontman, who donned the number 10 at Turf Moor, has passed up the opportunity to take either the vacant seven, eight or nine shirt at Anfield.

Some will say Ings’ decision to swerve some of the Reds’ iconic squad numbers, worn by Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler among others down the years, shows a fearfulness he may not make the grade at one of the biggest clubs in the land.

This is understandable. Many fans want to see a confident demeanour from day one translating to instant results on the pitch and for strikers that inevitably means goals.

On the flipside, respect and humility carry their own merits and the magic words ‘hard work’ appear just as likely to endear Ings to the Kop, with the caveat that the onion bag in front of them starts bulging before too long.

“I would make sure I am established before taking any of those numbers,” Ings said. “It is such a huge club. That was the thinking behind it. I wouldn’t want to go to Liverpool and chuck a shirt on my back like that … it is pressure you don’t need.

“The expectation at clubs like that is huge. Obviously I am going to work my socks off to earn that number one day. For now I will take a high number and work hard.”

Ings is still only 22 and had many interested parties competing for his signature, but rumours persisted that his preferred destination was always Merseyside and so it transpired.

With several departures from Liverpool’s ailing forward line expected, and Daniel Sturridge’s ongoing availability issues as he grapples with injuries, Ings may well be thrust into the limelight from the off in 2015/16.

If Burnley’s 11-Premier League goal man of last season can achieve the 4/1-rated task of 16+ goals in all competitions for Liverpool during his debut campaign, then the prospect of slipping a low number on his back will become much more appealing.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.