BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 11, 2016: Liverpool's Danny Ings in action against Leicester City during the FA Premier League 2 Under-23 match at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Danny Ings steps up recovery as Liverpool striker continues work at Melwood

Danny Ings provided an update on his recovery from a knee problem that has ruled him out since October, with the Liverpool striker back in training.

Ings suffered his second major knee injury in as many seasons during the Reds’ 2-1 win at home to Tottenham in the League Cup fourth round.

This ultimately kept him out for the rest of the season, bitterly mirroring his layoff with an ACL rupture for the majority of the 2015/16 campaign.

The 24-year-old has made just three senior appearances under Jurgen Klopp, totalling 75 minutes on the pitch, and faces a defining summer as he attempts to carve out a long-term role at Anfield.

Taking to Instagram on Monday night, Ings posted a video of his individual training programme at Melwood:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BV0MoAuAdE0

The striker said he was “climbing that mountain,” with Adam Lallana and Marko Grujic among those to laud Ings for his efforts ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season schedule.

His routine includes ball work as well as sprinting, suggesting he is closing in on a return to full training alongside his team-mates when the Reds reconvene early next month.

Liverpool’s first summer friendly comes against Tranmere Rovers on July 12, though that is likely to be come soon for Ings.

There has been speculation over Ings’ role under Klopp throughout the summer so far, due to the extent of his injuries since joining Liverpool from Burnley in 2015.

The Reds paid a record tribunal fee of £6.5 million for the former Bournemouth youth on his move to Merseyside, with a further £1.5 million in add-ons included in the deal.

He is unlikely to have met the targets laid out in this package so far, however, having scored three times in 11 games for Liverpool.

CHESTER, WALES - Monday, March 2, 2015: Chelsea's Dominic Solanke in action against Liverpool during the Under 21 FA Premier League match at Deva Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Klopp has already moved to sign another centre-forward this summer in Chelsea youngster Dominic Solanke, with the 19-year-old joining Ings, Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi.

While Sturridge could leave the club this summer in search of regular first-team football, both Firmino and Origi are expected to stay.

If Sturridge remained, with Klopp no doubt willing to retain the No. 15 for another campaign, Ings would likely serve as fifth-choice striker, competing with Origi and Solanke for a backup role.

Klopp is an admirer of Ings, however, particularly due to his commitment in recovery and his professionalism off the field.

He may still have a part to play for Liverpool, but a loan move may be wise this summer.

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