'You have to be more dedicated when you are injured'
Danny Ings is likely to see a lot more of Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp during the international break but insists, "he doesn't have to worry about me slacking off".
The 23-year-old, who is in the early stages of his recovery from an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, has had few opportunities to build a rapport with the new manager during the first weeks of his Anfield reign.
A combination of a packed fixture schedule and Ings' absence from training mean regular contact has been difficult to come by, though the two-week break from domestic action provides a rare chance for Klopp to oversee the striker's rehab first-hand.
Regardless, the former Burnley forward has already been giving 100 per cent in his attempts to return to action as quickly as possible.
"When you do get injured that is when you really earn your money because you are in the gym and having to fight to get yourself physically ready to go back in and get back to the standard," he told the Daily Express.
"Being here at Liverpool it is going to be important to make sure I'm eating right, sleeping right, taking my vitamins, doing my gym work, icing my knee and resting every day.
"Otherwise you are playing catch-up. You have to be more dedicated when you are injured because there is more of a mountain to climb to reach the top."
Ings' injury blow was particularly cruel given that it came just days after he had made his England debut in a 3-0 win over Lithuania.
However, that first taste of senior international action has simply strengthened the forward's resolve as he battles his way back to full fitness.
"My dream as a child was to play for England and to represent my country and I got that opportunity," he added.
"I had just got my foot in the door and all of sudden it was slammed on my toes.
"But I don't think that dream is over for me. I am not one of those guys who gets a cap and I am going to fall away now.
"Hopefully when I am fit I can get back in the manager's thoughts and see where it takes me. He left a voicemail message for me and some texts. It gives me fire in my belly to go again."