Danny Ings on why he had to leave Liverpool

Danny Ings has been talking about why he had to leave Anfield for a new challenge.

The 26-year-old striker recently signed for Southampton in the hope of getting his career back on track. He joined them initially on a season-long loan but the Saints are committed to buying the former Liverpool man next summer.

Commenting on his decision to leave Liverpool, Ings said: “I felt I needed to go to a club where I could really prove myself to be somebody else’s Mo Salah, be somebody else’s Firmino, someone else’s Henderson or Milner.

“I wanted to go somewhere I could be an important player. Be the player the whole city looks up to.”

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Having made 4 appearances in Liverpool’s Champions League campaign last season, Ings was naturally devastated to play no part in the final.

“That was one of the moments that obviously broke my heart. For any player to play a part in the Champions League, coming on in games, to not then be part of the final was absolutely heartbreaking,” said Ings.

“It wasn’t just that night that helped me make the decision. There were a few squads I wasn’t in, or times I didn’t come off the bench, and you go home and you feel you have so much to give.

“The front three Liverpool have are arguably the best in Europe together. The way that they know each other’s game — unbelievable. I knew I wasn’t going to replace that.

“The lads at Liverpool all wanted me to stay, but understood. We used to play cards on the way to away games and it was a different feeling for me because I wouldn’t be starting.

“I would cover that up, and I hid that, because I didn’t want to bring any negativity to the group. But it didn’t stop me going home and just sitting in the house with my dogs and being upset. That happened for a long time.

“Although I was happy around the lads and everyone at the club, on a much deeper level I know I wasn’t as happy as I can be. ”

Ings holds no bitterness towards Reds’ boss Jürgen Klopp, who, when Ings departed, said: “if you could bottle character and spirit, his would sell worldwide”.

“For him to say that meant the world and it was almost like closure on working with him. I want him to win as much as he can for Liverpool and I know he wants me to do well,” added the player.

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