26 Jan 2013

"I'd take the money" - Lawro urges Liverpool FC to sell £10m LFC star

Over the last couple of months, inconsistent Reds winger Stewart Downing has exponentially upped his game, and forced Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers to make him a permanent fixture in the club's first XI. It's great to see Downing playing well, but how long will it last for, and does he have a long-term future at Anfield? Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson is not convinced, and he's urged his old club to sell if the opportunity arises.

In his column for the Liverpool Daily Post yesterday, Lawro praised Downing for 'rising to the challenge' this year, and complemented Rodgers on his man-management of the player. However, he insisted that the winger is still eminently expendable. He noted:

"If someone offered £10million for Downing tomorrow, I would accept.

"As well as he has done lately, you have to compare the last six weeks with the previous 18 months. On that basis, you’d say thanks and take the money".


I absolutely agree with this. Downing's good form over the last couple of months is the exception, not the rule. Additionally, his form only improved after Rodgers publicly threaten to dump him on the Anfield scrapheap. It shouldn't take the threat of being sold to make Downing start performing consistently.

Additionally, despite his upturn in form, the fact remains that Downing has just one goal and two assists in his last sixteen appearances, which is not a good enough creative return for a vastly experience international attacking midfielder in the prime of his career.

I'm all for praising Downing for improving, but at the basic level, his job is to score and create goals. He didn't do that enough last season, and despite the improved form, he hasn't done that enough this season either.

Hopefully, with Downing in the shop window and playing well, he'll attract a couple of clubs willing to splash out £8-£10m, though to be honest, I doubt he'll go for that amount of money. Having said that, in November 2012, Arsenal were reportedly considering a £10m bid for Downing, so anything is possible.

Downing is hoping to stay at Anfield though, as he confirmed yesterday:

"I've still got a few more years on my contract so I'd like to see it out if that can happen, and the only thing I can do is play well and he'll keep me in the team"

With a thin, inexperienced squad, Rodgers has no choice but to rely on Downing at the moment, but I suspect, privately, he plans to sell him in the summer to raise cash for new signings.

Jaimie Kanwar

NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


70 comments:

  1. Why Downing! Brendan should sell Joe Allen.

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  2. When did Mark Lawrenson become Liverpool manager? He was a great player for us, but he's an awful media pundit. Why is he commenting on Downing anyway?

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  3. What are you talking about? Why is he an 'awful pundit'? Because he has the temerity to have a different opinion to you?! He is commenting on Downing because he has every right to. 

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  4. Please, for the love of God, no more players to be sold unless they are replaced with IMPROVEMENTS first!!!!!

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  5. We are short on experience and our squad as you indicated is fairly small; I would retain Downing. We are not such an attractive club anymore without Champions league football; I'd rather keep him than pay out on untried or untested younger players. Lets hope his form continues; its all about confidence with Downing !. Who would we get for £10 mill ?; we can't get Ince, or Coutinho, as the money is not there. Who would come until we get success for that sort of money ?.  

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  6. I don't agree. Allen is 22 how long has it taken Lucas, Henderson, Downing, to become accepted. Give the guy at least 18 months. 

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  7. we just bought allen! why on earthly would you want to sell? He's got heaps of potential and where better to fulfil and develop his craft than at LFC?


    I'll admit he's dropped his form quite a bit, but I'd say it's all down to the pressures of playing for LFC. Downing is old and goes quiet in a game too often. Yes he gets the odd goal, but literally that's all he can do, put his laces through a shot and cross... there's no Andy Carroll to cross to, and even when there was, where were his assists?!?!?!

    Allen always has a high pass accuracy (even when he's playing bad), he hustles and bustles, links the play and holds the ball well. He will be a core engine player in the future. There are several youth players we could play over an in form downing, Allen, I'm not so sure...

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  8. We got Assaidi... he was worth like 2 mill.

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  9. We have dragged our heels over the Coutinho deal and are now in real danger of not finalising it. Aston Villa are also said to be interested although have not made an official bid, and Chelsea are sniffing round both Coutinho and Paulinho making it a bit more confusing, (although I believe it is actually Paulinho they really want. If they did get him then Inter would have no reason to sell Coutinho). LFC have had many an opportunity to wrap this deal up and concentrate on the next move, but could fail dramatically with their hard ball stance; all based on the player apparently saying he would prefer Liverpool to Southampton, ( which sounds a little arrogant to me on behalf of the owners). If we do indeed want the player and feel he could improve us, then they need to pull their finger out quickly and should absolutely not concern themselves with selling anyone at the moment; in particular Downing, whose present form could actually help us out. As you say, our lack of experience and small squad, should by itself, for now, squash these thoughts immediately.

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  10. Brendon should sell downing,allen,borini and henderson and get a winger,playmaker and leftback.

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  11. Downing has improved and is playing more consistent than before, but he still doesn't do a lot. When was the last time you watched him an thought that was brilliant ... Probably never an that's why he will never be good enough.

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  12. How many games has he played ?. He's just a squad player.

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  13. Great. Its not a FIFA game.....

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  14. Blimey, that's another four out and three in......

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  15. I agree that Downing's experience is a commodity that we could do with for the rest of the season, but if we're offered anywhere near the £10m mark in the summer, he should be gone. We could then hopefully use that money towards an experienced player in his position, and my suggestion would be Arda Turan, who's confirmed he'll be leaving Atletico in the summer, has proven himself in a top league and has already confirmed his wishes to play for us. Would cost around £18-20m, but well worth the money and would be willing to join us despite the lack of champions league. Perhaps Coates could be used as a bargaining tool, seeing as it appears (wrongly in my view) that he doesn't have a future at the club. Turan for £10m plus Coates anyone?

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  16. Come on Downing is actually producing for Liverpool now. He's not the world's greatest but at least his game has upped a level and he is getting a few more assists and more involved in games.

    It took Downing until his second season at Villa to start producing the goods and he's now performing better like Hendo. 

    Keeping Downing until the rest of the season will be better than selling him now esp when he has reached some kind of form - he'd be a good squad player at least until the club can afford to get quality signings to take his place and maybe by the summer he might actually be worth the £10m + 

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  17. ?? wow.. if brenden did that i would hope he never managed again. what happens if lucas and this playmaker gets injured? we are trying to build a squad not a starting 11 that will start in the summer. 

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  18. Why buy Coutinho when he wont get a work permit.

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  19. Oh well that's f..... it then! I can't believe I was that stupid to want a player that couldn't actually play in our league.... I stand corrected....

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  20. Fans are truley funny with their comments on Downing (over spending) and PC (trying to get valse for money) i guess we are never really happy. We are -1 for this window, in my eyes we need to get 2 players for this window to be a positive.

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  21. Value for money I mean

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  22. Unfortunately there is only one word to describe you.  Dope.  No disrespect but put your brain in gear before letting your mouth motor off into the ether.

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  23. Precisely. But unfortuntely patience is often a rare commodity on this site I'm afraid.

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  24. At the start of the season I would have agreed with Mark Lawrenson but I would now say we should keep him. he is a reasonable fallback in defense and has now started to get his act together on the wings.  Mark Lawrenson couldn't hack it as a manager himself so should stop trying to tell real managers how to do their jobs. 

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  25. everyone as there price,but imo these a lot more i would rather sell for 10 million than downing at the moment

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  26. I don't understand this. If FSG's transfer policy (nowadays) is to buy young and relatively cheap, with a possible profit to be made in future sales, then why pay through the nose for Downing & Carroll then flog them for half what you paid for them? Then not take a chance on a proven world class player (Sneijder) who's going cheap, albeit with a large salary.
    I wouldn't sell Downing right now. He's picked up his form and, with Sturridge now in the team to get on the end of his crosses, he might be a valuable asset to the team. Maybe all his unproductive crosses were put in an area where he expected the centre forward to be, as opposed to picking out where the actual forwards were?
    I say give him at least until the end of the season then reassess.

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  27. look he was capped for the u21 so he would get a permit

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  28. on another subject according to some sources lfc have made another bid for coutihno 8 million same as the last offer but with bells on it,trufully ,our transfer negotiation team are a bunch of muppets if they did not except 8 million last time ,i could have saved them the effort and told them there not going to except it this time(we are a laughing stock the next this is anfield documentary,should show this it could be like a upperclass episode of benidorm)

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  29. He was asked to up his game, he has,don't worry, the golden eggs will come.Maybe this w/end

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  30. coitihnk has been near enough agreed according to sky!!
     

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  31. Personally i think hes an awful pundit, a bit like Garth Crooks. I dont think Downing should be judged on his 18 months he should be judged on between how he performa to the moment Rodgers decides to sell him. If he carries on improving and getting assists and goals then he is then a proven option that we should keep.

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  32. People talk very freely about lfc from their sweet home but why they dont have the balls and demand the job then they could do everything to make lfc champions again, these pundits are just scared asses and talk bullsh*t everytime they want, downing been ok lately so go and bash another player whos been terrible likes of allen shelvey reina, why disturb a player in form this is ridiculous

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  33. Why should the last 18 months be ignored? That makes no sense. Downing only started to play well after Rodgers threatened to dump him; surely that tells you something about his mentality? The club has lost on 18 months of utility with Downing: someone else would've scored more goals/asisted more, and generally added more to the team.

    If LFC had spent millions three different players other than Henderson, Downing and Carroll, and those players had performed, the club might be in the Champions League right now.

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  34. Because if a player has a crap year, 18 months or whatever, and then has a good 6 months or a year or two years, then why sell? You would have to assume if he has a good year that he has settled in to the club, philosophies etc and will have a good career with the club. If he was crap again then i understand but if he plays well til the end of the season, scores, assista, is consistent-why sell? I dont understand that mentality, what more can he do to change your opinion and make you want BR to keep him? And as for his mentality i truly believe he is better because he has confidence and is no longer playing it safe, i.e passing and dribbling backwards all the time. He's a lot more positive and i think he's an asset. He had a poor first season with Villa and ended up their player of the year in his last season-ahead of Young.

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  35. Just a couple, but he's looked good in them. He's looked one of Moroccos best players. Hope he doesn't mess South Africa up when they play each other.


    But that all said... a bit of bulk up, some good training in a good squad of players, yes he is just a squad player for now, but his potential is plain to see. Not to mention resale value... He's a good player, a bit light weight, but I think in Liverpool that won't matter in times to come, esp if you are a slight but pacey skillful winger up front.
    Biggest factor is that he is young and can develop!

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  36. Downing's point about putting crosses in with no one on the end of them seems a bit more relevant now we have Sturridge. Lethargic Andy Carrol would really struggle to get on the end of crosses which won't help his creative stats! A more mobile frontline can only benefit Downing. If we're going to get rid we need to do some serious scouting. Personally I think he has graduated to being a squad player!

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  37. am happy with the with the two new signing but i agree mate reina and coates should be the first two offloaded before downing who    has with hendo started to produce the goods

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  38. garth crooks !!!! what an insult!!! that man is the most annoying bloke in football, can not stand!!

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  39. to little to late for downing maybe, he just doesn't have the end product, I cant ever remember someone having so many shots blocked by defenders when he finally plucks up the courage to take a pop. anyone else notice ?

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  40.  How about giving B.R some credit , he is starting to get the best out of players a lot of fans gave up on ,was not to long ago a lot of so called fans were calling for [ lucas , henderson ,Downing's ] head .

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  41. lets be straight all the players from the last 3 years have not performed to there best.three managers later and where are we.
    rodgers looks like he could be the one to turn things around.i hope and i think if the fans look back as well we havent supported the team as well either.fans from other teams used to say we had 12 men not 11 because of us.but not at the moment.this year we should now help them as much as pos im sure the likes of stevie g and jamie c .can see the diffrence in the crow.but top players feed off the fans.look at barca their fans are singing the hole game as we used to.the a atmasfer is just not as it could be.im shore shanks is up their sing every game.
    we got to start beliveing again the past 3 years are history.lets get out and support not slag off our boys.
    the kop needs to itimadate again like it used to.even the best strikers have said when the (kop)is on top form you just cant play them we have the best fnas in the world lets just bloody show the rest we are back at our best
    liverpool fc should always be feard,so lets just do what we need to do.and stop bitching.

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  42. Don't you look like a muppet now? Inter have just accepted our last offer. Glad you are not looking after our money

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  43. Believe in Brendan you false fucks

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  44. Spot on , sell downing for 10m , now we have coutinho , he , suarez and sturridge will be awesome for us ! Can't wait, happy days at liverpool , is been a long time coming . Pls get turan and diame in the summer, then I think we will give a good account of ourselves for a crack at the title !

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  45. I think not good if LFC try to sell Sebastian Coates who young star on making to get Ashley Willian 28 year,he will retired next few year.Very clever decision to make it by LFC.This season LFC must drop or sell our underperformance player like Downing,Henderson,Doni and Lucas.They all just ordinary players without any special skill.Only a passenger who get high salary.Nothing special to say about them all.Sometimes they are lucky and get save because LFC winning with beat a little team.When facing bigger team like Arsenal,Mufc,Chelsea and others club,they alway fail and get poor rating.Assaidi and Coates still having good potential but now LFC want to sell out.I'm not satisfied with this decision.....I think not many fans will argue if LFC try to Coates to get Mats Hummell or Nicolas Ismat Mirin.We want youngest players not older players.

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  46. Funny how people choose to ignore the crap 18 months to 2 years that Xabi Alonso had. Can't have one thing for one player and another thing for another player. Consistency is what is needed in football.

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  47. I remember a certain pass that set up a Steven Gerrard goal, took 3 players out, played by Downing, he didn't put his laces through that, also a first time cross to set up Sturridge, which Downing played with the inside of his foot, not the laces, so two examples to show he can do more than lace it.

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  48. Assaidi is away at Africa Cup of Nations, so at the moment, we don't have him. And plus, he is not physically ready for the Premier League.

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  49. He has also made appearances for the senior Brazil side, so again, he will.

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  50. Or fingers as it were.

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  51. Actually, against Norwich I thought he was brilliant. Looked a constant threat from the first minute and the first time cross he put in for Sturridge's goal shows his quality.

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  52. Yep, and that's his fault that the defenders block his shots. Maybe the defenders know the threat that his shooting poses and they throw themselves at his shots a lot more. This is a good thing, not a bad thing.

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  53. To be fair, Lucas's upturn isn't down to Rodgers, he started performing well under Hodgson.

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  54. Coutinho is an attacking midfielder, not a winger. Downing is a good player to have in the squad, because he can play on either wing and play left back as well. Keep him.

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  55. He should be judged on one single thing and that is shushing his own supporters and not even apologizing for it. Off with him

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  56. picks one hell of a team of the week though...

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  57. Alonso had 1 bad season which coincided with his wife having their first child. Then he got treated appalingly by Benitez and had his best season for us.
    Downing is so far below Alonso's class he isnt even on the radar.

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  58. He will never settle in becuase he is not physically capable - even his season in the prem with Swansea is a bit of a sham. 94% pass completion is not all its cracked up to be - no goals, 1 assist means he is no creative midfielder and he doesnt have the speed or strength to be the defensive midfield player.

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  59. I would take £10 million for Downing, as long as we buy a replacement that's actually worth £10 million.

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  60. Lucas. argument void.

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  61. how do i look like a muppet ,we could have got him for 8million but we will end up paying more because we messed about,and m8 hes hardley a world class player we were competing against southampton for him ,not man ure chelsea,arsenal ect,and finally when hes at anfield signed sealed and delivered,then i will believe it

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  62. If the pinciple of a bad first year and a half , then sell a player is to applied then Ian Rush would have been sold by Paisley and we would not have the greatest goalscorer of Liverpool for all those years.

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  63. "Liverpool appear to have won the race to sign Philippe Coutinho.
    Reports on Saturday morning suggested the Reds had re-structured their offer" Mirror
    Restructured not increased - 
    "if they did not except (sic) 8 million last time..." you
    So he's not world class but you wanted to not waste time and just throw more money at him.
    Like i said muppet

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  64. Great son... we all remember those, now name a few more...

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  65. So that makes it ok for people to forget the fact that he had one or two under par seasons for us but not ok for people to do the same with Downing now that he is having his best season with us. In the position that Downing plays, Alonso wouldn't even come close to him, so that part of your argument is void as well.

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  66. your the f"cking muppet now go and annoy someone else 

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  67. Lawro was never critical of his buddy, Kenny Dalgleish

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