Danny Ings says his ability to make runs behind defences will be key to unlocking more goals for Liverpool this season.
The 23-year-old is preparing for his first season on Merseyside since making the switch from Burnley this summer, and he’s relishing the opportunity to show his creativity.
“After my knee injury [in 2012] I sort of devoted my whole time to working on my speed, my movement, and my creativity,” Ings told LFCTV this week.
“What I’ve found was really effective, even at Championship level, was making runs constantly in behind.
“As soon as a defender switches off that run in behind is so effective.
“As long as there’s someone stretching the pitch and you’ve got your creative players behind you in that space – and you’ve got players at this football club to feed those runs – you can be an effective team.
“It’s certainly something I’m looking forward to.”
Ings scored five goals in 18 Premier League appearances for Burnley last season during a campaign in which the Lancashire club struggled to find the back of the net.
In the previous season the England Under-21 international netted 13 times in 19 Championship appearances to help the Clarets to promotion.
Ings faces stiff competition for games at Anfield with Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi all vying for starting places up front, and Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini still on the club’s books.
But Ings believes he has the attributes to succeed at Liverpool.
“I think with the way the game is going, it’s full of creative players now, players who want to be on the ball all the time,” he added.
“[But] I really do think, even if I don’t touch the ball as much as those guys if I’m still stretching the game it’s still as effective.
“It can all get too crunched and if you don’t create space for those players in behind you then it’s hard to create opportunities.
“I’ll always work on my game and stretching in behind.”
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