OPINION
While Adam Lallana finally managed to play 90 minutes for Liverpool this season, it was actually Danny Ings who proved that he should feature more with his display against Porto.
Lallana is well thought of at Anfield given his past performances, but after an injury hit season, Tuesday’s game against Porto was the first time he was able to play 90 minutes during this campaign.
The 29-year-old looked understandably rusty, but put in a solid enough performance on his way back to becoming a first-team regular.
However his display clearly indicated that he should still be limited to brief cameo appearances until he finds his feet again.
Jurgen Klopp may not have been left convinced by Lallana’s performance ahead of the crucial game against Manchester United on Saturday, but Ings’ performance would have given him food for thought.
The 25-year-old replaced Roberto Firmino in the 67th minute of the Reds’ Champions League clash against Porto on Tuesday, and made a memorable impression.
Ings may not have grabbed the goal which would have gotten him the headlines, with the game ending 0-0, but he certainly came close.
If it wasn’t for the amazing talents of Iker Casillas, the 25-year-old striker would have gotten his side the win at Anfield as not many goalkeepers would have been able to stop him scoring from a header, that was clearly looping in.
Aside from nearly scoring, Ings was lively and even dazzled the Anfield faithful with his footwork in the middle of the pitch, to the point where they started singing his name.
The former Burnley forward has only made six appearances for the senior team this season, with him not even being in the squad for the Reds’ last two league games, and it was hard to see why this was.
The 25-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years, but clearly after featuring for the U-23s this season in order to get back fit, he is capable of making an impact in the first-team.
It is a hard task to replace Firmino in the team, but Ings is clearly the second best forward at the club and should be utilised more from the bench, or in order to given the Brazilian a rest now and again.
Ing’s display against Porto should see him add to the 18 appearances he has made in the whole of his Liverpool career in the near future.