Profile

Danny Ings' move to Liverpool in July 2015 capped a meteoric rise through the English game, which began in the Football League Trophy six years prior.

It was at the age of 17 that the Bournemouth academy graduate was handed his professional debut in that competition, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 defeat by Northampton Town.

The following season, Ings dropped further down the pyramid, joining Dorchester Town in the Conference South on a short-term loan deal.

But, after finding the net on a number of occasions during his short stay with the Dorset outfit, the forward was recalled by his parent club in December as injuries piled up.

Ings went on to make 23 starts in League One over the course of the remainder of the season, scoring eight goals.

However, the campaign ended in disappointment, as the Cherries suffered defeat against Huddersfield Town in the play-off semi-finals despite another Ings strike in the second leg.

Although unfortunate for Bournemouth, that blow did not halt the Winchester-born striker's progress, as Championship side Burnley moved to secure his services that summer.

Initially, the form of prolific strike duo Jay Rodriguez and Charlie Austin meant that starts at Turf Moor proved hard to come by for Ings.

But, after making his debut as a substitute replacing the latter in February, he notched three goals before the season's end to announce himself to a new fanbase.

Rodriguez left Burnley that summer in order to join Southampton, yet competition for a starting berth remained tight, with Austin, Martin Paterson and Sam Vokes all pushing for a place.

That meant Ings lined up just 15 times in 2012-13, scoring three goals again, but when Queens Park Rangers came calling for Austin, an opportunity arrived.

Crucially, manager Sean Dyche chose to keep faith in his current striking options, and he paired Vokes and Ings to devastating effect the following season.

Danny took the chance with both hands, netting 21 league goals in 40 appearances as Burnley clinched promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

He was also handed a maiden international call-up in October 2013, joining up with England U21s.

Of course, questions remained over whether his blistering form would translate to the English top flight but, last season, they were answered emphatically.

Despite the Clarets' eventual relegation, Ings bagged an impressive tally of 11 goals, sparking interest from a number of top clubs.

But it was Liverpool who stole a march on their rivals to secure the signature of the striker.