So this rumour is turning real! Apparently. Danny Ings is quite possibly joining us from Burnley for £3m. But the deal may well see him finish the season on loan at Burnley. Ings is young, scores goals and has a low price. The only part of this deal that puzzles me is the loan. We need a striker now if we can get one.
From the Echo:
FOR SIGNING INGS:
Ings can only get better
At 22-years-old and an Englishman on the brink of a national team call-up, Ings would fit the profile which Rodgers excels in coaching and developing.
Strong, quick and good goalscorer, the striker has been open to improvement through his fledging career, highlighted by his 20 goals in the Championship last season. He would appear to have the raw attributes to succeed in the Premier League – indeed, he has scored seven this season already – and has plenty of time to become a top striker.
It makes sense – both on and off the pitch
With Ings’ contract running out, this would appear to be the definition of value. The Burnley man has been one of the most talked-up young players this season, along with the likes of Charlie Austin and Saido Berahino, but he would move for a far smaller fee than those two.
Ings is one of the best strikers in the league for dribbling past players, with just Alexis Sanchez, Bojan and Sergio Aguero managing more – demonstrating how useful he could be in a quick attack.
Keeping him on loan at Turf Moor facilitates a move. With Tottenham, Newcastle and Real Sociedad linked, it would secure him for next season – while also allowing him to play a full Premier League season, having already started in 19 of their 22 games this season.
Liverpool need goals
The burden on Daniel Sturridge is obvious. Despite the move to 3-4-2-1 yielding better attacking displays, the Reds have been forced to play Raheem Sterling up front for the majority of it.
Liverpool may feel they have figured out Sturridge’s injury problems, but there are no guarantees. Sterling has been an admirable deputy, but his long-term future would seem to be in a deeper position.
If Sturridge is absent – either rested or sidelined – then Ings would offer a decent alternative, and already has more league goals than Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini combined. He has also played in a front two under Sean Dyche, but can also operate as a lone striker.
Sturridge as first-choice, with Ings and Origi as either partners or back-up, is an attractive proposition.
AGAINST SIGNING INGS:
Liverpool need strikers now
A lot of the negativity surrounding the potential deal centres around the make-up of it. Though loaning him back to Burnley would help secure him, it ignores the pressing issue of Liverpool’s quest for Champions League qualification; so, too, that Sturridge is returning from a long-term absence and may take time to play at full capacity.
Liverpool would have had to pay a compensation fee in the summer regardless, as he is under 24, so an extra few million now would be a worthwhile investment if he could offer another option off the bench.
Is he really good enough?
Ings has seven goals this season – one from the penalty spot – but he has spent just six months in the top tier, and not at a club chasing honours. Liverpool need a player who will put away chances. With just 38% shooting accuracy, he hits the target less than Balotelli (55%) and Lambert (45%) - it is also the same accuracy as Borini.
His 20 goals last season were in the Championship; before that, his best season came at Bournemouth, in League One, with eight goals. He hasn’t done it regularly enough, or long enough, to be considered a viable option
The element of unknown – and potential over finished article
Manchester City spend nearly £30m on Wilfried Bony, while Chelsea have Didier Drogba and Loic Remy in reserve. Even Manchester United usually have one of Robin van Persie or Radamel Falcao on the bench.
Granted, such transfers are not Liverpool’s style – nor, necessarily, should it be – but bringing in a player with just six months of Premier League experience, who hasn’t played in a team like Liverpool’s, brings uncertainty.
At 22, Ings would want to play football regularly, particularly as he as on the cusp of the England squad following brilliant showings for the Under-21s. How he would fit into a Liverpool side when the squad is fully fit, be that in a 3-4-2-1, 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, would be a head-scratcher for the Reds boss.
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So what do you think? Is he the striker we need? (Sturridge, Ings, Borini, Balotelli, Lambert enough).
Is a loan a good idea or do we need him now?
From the Echo:
FOR SIGNING INGS:
Ings can only get better
At 22-years-old and an Englishman on the brink of a national team call-up, Ings would fit the profile which Rodgers excels in coaching and developing.
Strong, quick and good goalscorer, the striker has been open to improvement through his fledging career, highlighted by his 20 goals in the Championship last season. He would appear to have the raw attributes to succeed in the Premier League – indeed, he has scored seven this season already – and has plenty of time to become a top striker.
It makes sense – both on and off the pitch
With Ings’ contract running out, this would appear to be the definition of value. The Burnley man has been one of the most talked-up young players this season, along with the likes of Charlie Austin and Saido Berahino, but he would move for a far smaller fee than those two.
Ings is one of the best strikers in the league for dribbling past players, with just Alexis Sanchez, Bojan and Sergio Aguero managing more – demonstrating how useful he could be in a quick attack.
Keeping him on loan at Turf Moor facilitates a move. With Tottenham, Newcastle and Real Sociedad linked, it would secure him for next season – while also allowing him to play a full Premier League season, having already started in 19 of their 22 games this season.
Liverpool need goals
The burden on Daniel Sturridge is obvious. Despite the move to 3-4-2-1 yielding better attacking displays, the Reds have been forced to play Raheem Sterling up front for the majority of it.
Liverpool may feel they have figured out Sturridge’s injury problems, but there are no guarantees. Sterling has been an admirable deputy, but his long-term future would seem to be in a deeper position.
If Sturridge is absent – either rested or sidelined – then Ings would offer a decent alternative, and already has more league goals than Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini combined. He has also played in a front two under Sean Dyche, but can also operate as a lone striker.
Sturridge as first-choice, with Ings and Origi as either partners or back-up, is an attractive proposition.
AGAINST SIGNING INGS:
Liverpool need strikers now
A lot of the negativity surrounding the potential deal centres around the make-up of it. Though loaning him back to Burnley would help secure him, it ignores the pressing issue of Liverpool’s quest for Champions League qualification; so, too, that Sturridge is returning from a long-term absence and may take time to play at full capacity.
Liverpool would have had to pay a compensation fee in the summer regardless, as he is under 24, so an extra few million now would be a worthwhile investment if he could offer another option off the bench.
Is he really good enough?
Ings has seven goals this season – one from the penalty spot – but he has spent just six months in the top tier, and not at a club chasing honours. Liverpool need a player who will put away chances. With just 38% shooting accuracy, he hits the target less than Balotelli (55%) and Lambert (45%) - it is also the same accuracy as Borini.
His 20 goals last season were in the Championship; before that, his best season came at Bournemouth, in League One, with eight goals. He hasn’t done it regularly enough, or long enough, to be considered a viable option
The element of unknown – and potential over finished article
Manchester City spend nearly £30m on Wilfried Bony, while Chelsea have Didier Drogba and Loic Remy in reserve. Even Manchester United usually have one of Robin van Persie or Radamel Falcao on the bench.
Granted, such transfers are not Liverpool’s style – nor, necessarily, should it be – but bringing in a player with just six months of Premier League experience, who hasn’t played in a team like Liverpool’s, brings uncertainty.
At 22, Ings would want to play football regularly, particularly as he as on the cusp of the England squad following brilliant showings for the Under-21s. How he would fit into a Liverpool side when the squad is fully fit, be that in a 3-4-2-1, 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, would be a head-scratcher for the Reds boss.
----------------------------------
So what do you think? Is he the striker we need? (Sturridge, Ings, Borini, Balotelli, Lambert enough).
Is a loan a good idea or do we need him now?
