LIVERPOOL, England -- Jurgen Klopp has praised the attitude and application of Danny Ings after finding his playing time limited and said the striker "will be involved" in the squad for Tuesday night's game with Tottenham Hotspur.
Ings made his only appearance of the season in last month's EFL Cup tie at Derby County when he came on as a second-half substitute. However, the former Burnley frontman has been in impressive form for Liverpool's under-23 side during his frequent outings for the second string.
Sources told ESPN FC in August that Liverpool had rejected approaches from eight Premier League clubs -- including one who was prepared to pay in excess of £20 million -- for Ings as he was seen as a valuable member of the team by Klopp.
The Reds boss told a news conference at Melwood on Monday afternoon that the 24-year-old could play a role against Spurs in the fourth-round League Cup tie at Anfield.
"It's really good," Klopp responded when asked whether he had been pleased with what he had seen from Ings. "I would be a little bit less sensitive if I could say that's his job to do, but I am sensitive and I know it's not easy.
"He takes the situation in the perfect way but that's all for him. He had a long-term injury, he's not injured anymore, he's fit, he's good, he plays in the U23s -- that's all for his career and everything. How he is doing with this attitude, everything will be good at the end.
"In this moment, the situation is not too easy -- Roberto [Firmino], Daniel [Sturridge], Divock [Origi]. So there's not a lot of space for the few minutes you could give and you have to build a squad for different things to do and not have a third or fourth striker on the bench -- it makes not too much sense or whatever. But he used the game time and so what I can say is he will be involved in the squad tomorrow, 100 percent. All the rest we have to see."
Klopp said he has sympathy for Ings but believes his lack of opportunities so far this campaign just highlights the number of options currently at his disposal.
"As a manager you have around 25 players, so you cannot talk about the individual situation every day," Klopp added. "I think we are completely clear about the way, the things he has to do.
"He's a nice guy, he's a wonderful player -- that's all good -- but that's the sign for the strength of the squad.
"You can be a really good player and you cannot even be in the squad -- that's possible. That's a sign for the strength of LFC."