Danny Ings has admitted that he is unlikely to play for Liverpool again this season as he continues his recovery from cruciate knee ligament damage.
The former Burnley striker was initially ruled out for six months after suffering the injury in October, but Ings, yet to play under Jurgen Klopp, concedes that prognosis is optimistic.
The 23-year-old had scored twice in his four games prior to the blow, and he admits that his form at the time has made the layoff so much worse.
"When I got the injury I said straight away I will play again before the season finishes," Ings told NBC Sports. "But I think with the advice I've had of the surgeons and physios, I know they won't risk me and I don't want to risk it myself.
"This is all about the highs and lows of football. I was at the happiest point of my career and then, at the time of the injury, I felt like I was at my lowest point. I just felt like I got my foot in the door.
"I was becoming established here at Liverpool, playing games and scoring goals, keeping my place in the team and had made my debut for England, then somebody took that all away from me. It is absolutely gutting because football has been my life. If I can't do what I love doing then it is like someone having their kids taken away from them. That is how I felt. I know that I am going to come back extremely strong."
Klopp's side sit sixth in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Manchester City.
