Liverpool winger Stewart Downing is on the crest of a wave at the moment. After exponentially improving his performance level this year, the 28-year old is now a confirmed regular in the first team, and looks to be on the path to working his way into Brendan Rodgers' long-term plans. Fans still have mixed feelings about the former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa attacker, and perhaps that might extend to some of Downing's team-mates, especially after they see his latest interview.
In response to the question 'who is the best player you've ever played alongside and why', Downing delivered a giant snub to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, and choose one of his former Middlesbrough team-mates. He told LFC.com:
"I'd probably say Mark Viduka. Just his presence, his goals and all-round ability make him probably the best player I've played with"
If Viduka is the 'best' player Downing has played with, then by extension, that mean he thinks the Aussie is better than any of his current team-mates, including Gerrard and Suarez.
Viduka was a very good player in his day, but does he have better 'all-round ability' than Gerrard and Suarez? Arguably no, but Downing is, of course, entitled to his opinion.
You have to hand it to Downing - that's quite a brave statement to make, and it's actually refreshing to see a Liverpool player reject the usual ass-kissing love-in and dare to say what he really feels. Downing could've just said Gerrard or Suarez to appease the fans, but he didn't, and I personally respect that.
Viduka tormented Liverpool on more than one occasion, and his most memorable game against the Reds came in 2000, when he single-handedly destroyed the Reds with FOUR goals in one game, helping Leeds snatch a 4-3 victory from the jaws of defeat.
I remember watching the game live, and it was one of those matches where you just can't believe what you're witnessing. Liverpool were 2-0 up, and then 3-2 up, but still ended up losing 4-3.
In terms of sheer drama and disbelief at what unfolded, I'd compare it to Liverpool's 4-3 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace in 1990, another exciting game that the Reds threw away.
You have to hand it to Viduka though - his 4-goal blast against the Reds is one of the greatest individual performances against Liverpool in the last 20 years, and it's right up there with Andrei Arshavin's 4-goal masterclass in 2009.
Jaimie Kanwar NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
In response to the question 'who is the best player you've ever played alongside and why', Downing delivered a giant snub to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, and choose one of his former Middlesbrough team-mates. He told LFC.com:
"I'd probably say Mark Viduka. Just his presence, his goals and all-round ability make him probably the best player I've played with"
If Viduka is the 'best' player Downing has played with, then by extension, that mean he thinks the Aussie is better than any of his current team-mates, including Gerrard and Suarez.
Viduka was a very good player in his day, but does he have better 'all-round ability' than Gerrard and Suarez? Arguably no, but Downing is, of course, entitled to his opinion.
You have to hand it to Downing - that's quite a brave statement to make, and it's actually refreshing to see a Liverpool player reject the usual ass-kissing love-in and dare to say what he really feels. Downing could've just said Gerrard or Suarez to appease the fans, but he didn't, and I personally respect that.
Viduka tormented Liverpool on more than one occasion, and his most memorable game against the Reds came in 2000, when he single-handedly destroyed the Reds with FOUR goals in one game, helping Leeds snatch a 4-3 victory from the jaws of defeat.
I remember watching the game live, and it was one of those matches where you just can't believe what you're witnessing. Liverpool were 2-0 up, and then 3-2 up, but still ended up losing 4-3.
In terms of sheer drama and disbelief at what unfolded, I'd compare it to Liverpool's 4-3 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace in 1990, another exciting game that the Reds threw away.
You have to hand it to Viduka though - his 4-goal blast against the Reds is one of the greatest individual performances against Liverpool in the last 20 years, and it's right up there with Andrei Arshavin's 4-goal masterclass in 2009.
Jaimie Kanwar NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Hats off to downing.Indeed viduka was a special player.off the topic ,what are your thoughts on Harry kewell Jamie? A player that played for both Liverpool and Leeds.
ReplyDeleteMark Viduka - my favourite leeds player of all time. Respect to Downing
ReplyDeleteviduka was decent but think downing must have been on medication when he said this
ReplyDeleteThe mere fact that Stuart Downing picked Viduka tells you a lot about Downing more than anything else.
ReplyDeleteBare in mind he's played at International and Club level.
This is a man that when eh scored his first goal for Liverpool after 18 months celebrated by shushing the LFC fans putting his fingers to his lips.
He has no class, is a average player at best and will become a squad player next season.
We have much better prospects in Couthinio,Ibe Sterling and if Tom Ince and His Dad can contain there ego's for a while he's make a good additions.
Kuyt,and Reira were better and had better stats than Downing.
If BR has any sense he'll ship him out in the summer.
bit harsh viduka mite have had a gun to his head
ReplyDeletegary sprake is the only keeper to make more ricks in big games than the one we have !
ReplyDeleteViduka better than Suarez .. ?
ReplyDeleteWas gonna call the guy a loon but I suppose when you take into account he signed for Liverpool but hasn't actually 'played' for Liverpool it's probably a fair call by Downinig..
Gimme a pint of what he's been drinking
ReplyDeleteAh yes, but you're just a biased bindipper.
ReplyDeleteKewell was finished when he left LUFC. Could have been the best player in the world - yes really as he had unbelievable ability - but got a series of bad injuries, some possibly self inflicted as he tried to build up his body - and never was the same. Throw in a half-hearted attitude after he married and never became who he could have been.
ReplyDeleteit is what it is ...if thats what he believes thats up to him...
ReplyDeleteExactly its like a guy cant have an opinon an fair play to him viduka was a good player in his day i remember him putting us to the sword at eland road once upon a time
ReplyDeleteFair play to him for saying it but Im not sure he can compare to Gerrard and especially Suarez in his current form...Ahh what Id do to have a 25 year old Gerrard in the squad now....
ReplyDeleteGive his some credit man, he was just speaking his mind. Having the courage to do that says alot abt him, these days especially with all the media going on
ReplyDeleteSurely football is all about opinions?
ReplyDeleteWe don't necessarily have to agree with Downing, but he did see Viduka in training on a daily basis so must have a fair idea what he was capable of. I remember a few goals he scored for Celtic that were unreal - unfortunately he was a complete barmpot, much like Di Canio or Jorge Cadete.
It is great to see Viduka get such a wrap and i am sure he would be honoured to be spoken about in that sort of company.
ReplyDeleteAlso it is great to see an Aussie footballer getting such praise abroad as we dont have many highly rated players and are still minnows in footballing terms.
More likely that Viduka threatened to eat him.
ReplyDeleteHe was a good player Viduka, in patches. A bit inconsistent. Seemed like he couldn't be arsed half the time. Excellent on his day though, and I always appreciate the taller strikers who still have a nice touch and good footwork.
ReplyDeleteThis was a nice goal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHQzywH23Eg
CAn't really blame him given that we get beat easily by the likes of Aston Villa (his struggling former team) and Southampton...
ReplyDeleteI still remember that 4-3 semi final defeat to Crystal Palace - was gutted at the end of it. Teams started fearing us less from then on...
Viduka was sensational in his day. Could have signed him to but thank God we got Heskey to replace Fowler....
ReplyDeletedecent m8 best player in the world never lol
ReplyDeleteTo be fair at least he did nit give the party line of suggesting someone at his current club. He has his own mind and he is playing well, the latter is all I really care about . As long as he is not slating people, I really don't care!
ReplyDeleteWas he hiding behind Enrique when he made that statement......pity he never carries that mental strength on the pitch. Still average player at best....Riera was more of a threat then this guy. Maybe this is a sign that he will be leaving in the summer for a big buck move to real or barcelona...haha!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way Viduka was a tank on the pitch and always looked dangerous...... quality player.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he would have been far off, take out the injuries and give him a solid 1-2 years at a top team and who knows. He was a fantastic talent / prospect.
ReplyDeletesorry m8 not a chance, your not australian by any chance are you lol
ReplyDeletelol imagine him sammy lee,and molby coming round for tea you would need a cow
ReplyDeleteto be fair to downing he was a young kid when he first got into the team at midddlesbrough and he would of looked up to viduka.
ReplyDeletewow, a rare moment of negativity from you Jason. what a surprise.
ReplyDeletelol but you did not answer my ?,and to try and say kewell was world class is stretching the imagination to unthinkable lenghts next you will be calling allen world class
ReplyDeleteJason, I didnt answer your question becasue I thought we agreed not to comment on each other posts.
ReplyDeleteIf you read my comment properly, I didnt say that he was world class. I think that he had amazing talent and a huge potential. I think that if he was able to string together a couple of years in a top really good Liverpool side without the injuries, then yes, he might have been a world class player.
However, looking back at his stats, I am actually surprised at how many games he played for Liverpool. 49 in 03-04 and 40 in 05-06? I honestly don't remember him playing that many games for the reds, and he only scored 16 goals. I am wondering if he these appearances were largely as subs.
Anyway back to your question, yes Allen is the Welsh Messi!
the ? was are you australian lol
ReplyDeleteNa, English
ReplyDeleteI live in Aus though :)
ReplyDeletehence the protectiveness of kewell;-)
ReplyDeleteMate, it has nothing to do with where I live. I don't support Australia in any sport and I don't really rate any other Australian players.
ReplyDeletei will end this post on this comment harry kewell was not world class infact imo he his not even the best australian to play for lfc
ReplyDelete