It’s not been the most auspicious of starts for new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Before the German has even taken charge of a game he has lost two players for the remainder of the season. On Wednesday, it was Joe Gomez who ruptured cruciate ligaments while playing for England’s under-21s and now Klopp has been hit with the news that Danny Ings, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise miserable start to the campaign at Anfield, has suffered a similar injury.
Ings’ knock in particular is a serious blow and it effectively ends the striker’s hopes of playing in Euro 2016.
The former Burnley forward twisted his knee during his first training session with Klopp in charge and tests have shown he will be out for at least six months.
Ings has scored three times for Liverpool this season and his form saw him promoted to the full England squad for the first time – making his debut as a substitute in the 3-0 win in Lithuania on Monday.
Liverpool will also be without Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino for Klopp’s first match in charge against Tottenham, though the duo are expected to return to training within a week.
Speaking to the press ahead of his first match in charge, Klopp said he wants to see “more bravery, more fun” in the eyes of his players.
Klopp said: “I only think about what we have to do to be stable in a game. To close all the doors. We’re playing a very good Premier League team on Saturday who have been together a long time. We have to run and fight together.”