Danny Ings was seconds away from making his Liverpool debut when Philippe Coutinho's stunning winner against Stoke City forced the summer signing to wait just a little longer.

The striker was being prepared to enter the action at the Britannia Stadium last Sunday when his new Brazilian teammate secured all three points in thrilling fashion.

Ings was taking final instructions for his introduction as the man he was about to replace, Coutinho, squirmed away from Steve Sidwell and lashed a shot into the top corner.

The No.28 naturally felt a twinge of disappointment when his own opportunity passed by but such thoughts were superseded by delight with the decisive moment.

“I was just itching to get on,” he told Liverpoolfc.com. “I kept looking at the clock to see how much time I had to make an impression.

“I had to stand up, go through set-pieces and then I saw everybody ripple. A player like that can pull something out of the bag, win the game and collect the points.

“That goal was superb – it’s credit to him, he’s such a fantastic footballer. Obviously I was over the moon with the result and hopefully my debut will come soon.

“It’s always important that even if you’re on the bench or not starting games, you’re always ready to be called upon. When I got the signal that I was coming on, I was really excited.

“It wasn’t to be but I’ll always make sure that I’m ready and willing to work hard for the team.”

It was a tenacious and resolute display by Brendan Rodgers’ side throughout the season opener at Stoke.

Most of the pre-match discussion had focused on the 6-1 scoreline on Liverpool’s previous visit to the Potteries, just three months before, in May.

However, the Reds banished any prospect of a hangover from that day with a solid performance that paved the way for Coutinho’s magic to make the difference.

‘Massive’ was how Ings described the result: “I don’t think there’ll be many teams that will go there and win the game.

“It’s such a tough place to play, they make it very difficult and it took us a while to break them down. It’s probably going to be even tougher for other teams who haven’t got Coutinho in their team!

“It was a fantastic result and one that we needed after what happened to the lads at the end of last season, and for the fans as well, to put that right going forward. That’s behind us now and we can concentrate on the next game.”

So the 23-year-old still waits for his first Liverpool appearance.

But Ings already feels comfortable a month on from completing his switch to Anfield and won’t relent in his ambition to improve with each day here.

He said: “I come in every day with a smile on my face because I know I’m working with good people and fantastic players. I’m over the moon that I’ve settled in quickly.

“The only thing that I do concentrate on is improving every day as a player and as a person. I try my best not to leave the training pitch without knowing that I’ve improved some part of my game, whether it’s speed, tactical or technical.

“It’s important that I work hard every day to become the best I can be for myself and for Liverpool.”

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