Danny Ings has decided to try and stay away from any extra added pressure ahead of his move to Liverpool, by opting for a higher-numbered shirt at Anfield. 

The 22-year-old striker agreed terms with the Reds earlier this month to complete a switch from relegated Burnley, but has chosen to wear the no.28 shirt ahead of his big move to Merseyside. 

Ings wore the no.10 whilst at Turf Moor last year, but despite the availability of the coveted number seven and eight jerseys - with Steven Gerrard having departed and no-one yet to have prized the famous no.7 shirt which Luis Suarez last occupied - the England U21 international has opted to work his way up.

"I stayed away from the low numbers," he said, "You've got to take that pressure off yourself as a young lad coming through. That's what I think personally.

"I would make sure I am established before taking any of those numbers. It's such a huge club. That was the thinking behind it (choosing no.28).

"I would not want to go to Liverpool and chuck a shirt on my back like that - it's just pressure that you don't really need. The expectation at clubs like that is huge.

"Obviously I'm going to work my socks off to earn a number like that one day, but for now I will take a high number and just work hard."

Ings - currently out in Czech Republic playing for his country in the UEFA under-21 European Championship - leaves the Clarets after a four-year stay with Sean Dyche's men.

He was a crucial part of the Burnley side which earned promotion from the Championship in 2013-14, scoring 21 goals in 40 appearances.

Ings admits excitement ahead of "unbelievable" move 

In his maiden year in the top-flight, Winchester-born Ings hit an 11-goal haul in 35 games as Burnley struggled to find enough goals as they failed avoid the drop.

But the striker has come some way from the days when he was loaned out to Conference South side Dorchester Town from Bournemouth, only five years ago, and he insisted that his journey makes his move to Anfield all the more surreal. 

"It's a boost being a Liverpool player, of course" he said. "I cannot wait to get started.

"To work with Brendan Rodgers and the players at Liverpool is an unbelievable dream come true for me.

Asked whether he believed he would be able to regularly challenge the likes of Daniel Sturridge for a place up-front in the Reds' first-team, Ings added: "I can play in a number of positions, on the left, as a number 10, or off the right.

"The strikers at Liverpool are fantastic and there will be competition but the way I look at it, is that I'll get a lot more game time playing in different positions, learning my trade as a young professional, and I think he (Rodgers) is the right manager for that.

"Brendan is good with young players and as soon as I knew he was interested, it was a no-brainer. It was best for me to join Liverpool."

Ings keen to get involved with the Liverpool squad

Ings could start in England U21's crunch clash with Italy on Wednesday, a game they need to win to ensure they progress to the knockout rounds.

But even should the Three Lions reach the next round, Ings has insisted that he is focused on joining Liverpool on their pre-season tour as opposed to enjoying a lengthy summer break. 

He said: "I'll be raring to go so I'll probably only have two weeks break and then join up with them (Liverpool) on tour because I don’t want to be playing catch-up.

"I would prefer to be around the squad and ready to go for the start of next season."