Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said Danny Ings fully deserved to make his Champions League debut against Porto last week.

Knee injuries have sidelined Ings for much of his time at Anfield since he arrived from Burnley in 2015. But his hard work to regain fitness paid off in Portugal when he replaced Roberto Firmino in the second-half.

"It was fantastic but he deserves it, really," Klopp told the club's website when asked about the forward's Champions League bow.

"Danny is in a fantastic shape. It always takes time. When I came in, it was such a long time [before I could work with him] because in the first session he got injured. Unbelievable.

"Now, after two-and-a-half years, he can play in the Champions League. It's a wonderful story, it's really deserved."

Ings has found it hard to break through into Klopp's side this season. Firmino, as well as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, have formed a frighteningly consistent attacking threat for Liverpool this season.

But Klopp insists Ings isn't far off breaking into his team.

"Yes, absolutely [Danny is knocking on the door]," said the boss. "It's good. He needed time. A few months ago it was different, but a player like him when they come back they think, 'I am under pressure' and they want to come in immediately and get game time.

"Danny went the hard way. He played a lot of games for the U23s - a lot of good games. Not all of them were good, but that's normal. If you feel like a settled player, like he usually is, and then you play U23 and are not the best player on the pitch, then it's not nice but it's an important experience again.

"It's all about getting match time and getting minutes. Then at one point, if the quality is there, he will be back - and that he is back now is very important for us and fantastic for him."