Despite improved form last season, Liverpool winger Stewart Downing remains eminently expendable at Anfield, and I suspect many fans would be quite happy to see the club cash-in on him this summer. Alas, that doesn't appear to be an option as Downing has emphatically confirmed that he is not leaving the club this summer.
West Ham expressed interested in signing the 28-year old attacker, but according to The Telegraph:
"Stewart Downing has informed Liverpool he has no wish to leave the club for West Ham.
"Sam Allardyce was prepared to pay £8 million for the former England winger, but Downing wants to fight for his position at Anfield".
Downing confirmed his intention to stay in a Twitter Q&A with Liverpool fans over the weekend. He said:
"No, I'm not leaving. I spoke to the manager, that's been cleared up. Unless something drastically changes I'll be here"
In a recent column for the Liverpool Echo, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson praised Downing's improved form, but questioned his consistency. He observed:
"Downing is not someone who deals with the pressure very well and it is almost as if you have to slip him into the team unnoticed to get the best out of him. He has the ability but not the consistency. Wingers are the type of players who drive you mad. They can win you games but also send you potty"
Last season, Rodgers threatened Downing with the Anfield scrapheap, and the 28-year old admits that he found that hard to take:
"It was like a kick in the teeth; I was shocked. It hurt, it really did. I cannot afford not to be playing. Not at my age. He said: ‘If things don’t change you are free to leave.’ He was quite open about it and credit to him for that"
I've been one of Downing's biggest critics, and with no league goals and assists in his first season, the criticism was definitely deserved. However, he turned it around, and that's a great testament to the player and I have to admit that I agree with the decision to keep Downing around next season. It's important to have experienced British players in the squad, and if nothing else, Downing has massive experience.
However...
Unless he is scoring/creating regularly, Downing should (IMO) be a squad player next season, not a first team regular. As Lawro suggests, he's just not consistent enough, and if Liverpool are to move to the next level, the team needs wide players with a more reliable end product. Consider his stats from last season:
* 5 goals/6 assists in 45 apps(only 3 Prem goals).
* Contrast this with Coutinho: 3 goals/7 assists in 13 apps.
Downing - who cost Liverpool £20m in 2011 - has years of Premier League experience, yet a 20-year old with four months' experience under his belt came up with a far superior creative return. Coutinho's goal/assist rate is what Downing *should* be producing, but he doesn't seem capable of that.
With increased competition in the squad, it's entirely possible that Downing will, once again, push himself to the next level, and if scores/creates more goals than Coutinho/Aspas/Alberto next season, then keep him in the team. The reverse is, however, also true: if he's not making a specific, measurable impact on a regular basis, then give someone else a chance.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
West Ham expressed interested in signing the 28-year old attacker, but according to The Telegraph:
"Stewart Downing has informed Liverpool he has no wish to leave the club for West Ham.
"Sam Allardyce was prepared to pay £8 million for the former England winger, but Downing wants to fight for his position at Anfield".
Downing confirmed his intention to stay in a Twitter Q&A with Liverpool fans over the weekend. He said:
"No, I'm not leaving. I spoke to the manager, that's been cleared up. Unless something drastically changes I'll be here"
In a recent column for the Liverpool Echo, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson praised Downing's improved form, but questioned his consistency. He observed:
"Downing is not someone who deals with the pressure very well and it is almost as if you have to slip him into the team unnoticed to get the best out of him. He has the ability but not the consistency. Wingers are the type of players who drive you mad. They can win you games but also send you potty"
Last season, Rodgers threatened Downing with the Anfield scrapheap, and the 28-year old admits that he found that hard to take:
"It was like a kick in the teeth; I was shocked. It hurt, it really did. I cannot afford not to be playing. Not at my age. He said: ‘If things don’t change you are free to leave.’ He was quite open about it and credit to him for that"
I've been one of Downing's biggest critics, and with no league goals and assists in his first season, the criticism was definitely deserved. However, he turned it around, and that's a great testament to the player and I have to admit that I agree with the decision to keep Downing around next season. It's important to have experienced British players in the squad, and if nothing else, Downing has massive experience.
However...
Unless he is scoring/creating regularly, Downing should (IMO) be a squad player next season, not a first team regular. As Lawro suggests, he's just not consistent enough, and if Liverpool are to move to the next level, the team needs wide players with a more reliable end product. Consider his stats from last season:
* 5 goals/6 assists in 45 apps(only 3 Prem goals).
* Contrast this with Coutinho: 3 goals/7 assists in 13 apps.
Downing - who cost Liverpool £20m in 2011 - has years of Premier League experience, yet a 20-year old with four months' experience under his belt came up with a far superior creative return. Coutinho's goal/assist rate is what Downing *should* be producing, but he doesn't seem capable of that.
With increased competition in the squad, it's entirely possible that Downing will, once again, push himself to the next level, and if scores/creates more goals than Coutinho/Aspas/Alberto next season, then keep him in the team. The reverse is, however, also true: if he's not making a specific, measurable impact on a regular basis, then give someone else a chance.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
I wouldnt sell him, because firstly you'd make a massive loss, secondly he doesn't mind being a squad player and finally the club wouldnt replace him.
ReplyDeletePretty much concur. Besides we can't really scream "loyalty" at Suarez and then decry Downing for actually having some. Yes he has improved somewhat. Yes squad-fodder unless he improves still further. Do think he actually has better 'end-product' than many give him credit for.
ReplyDeleteDowning is a good PL player and seems to be happy tracking back when needed.
ReplyDeleteHe also has a good work-rate and never really seems to get praise for this; if he can help Sterling and Ibe with stuff like this then that's a bonus too.
I worry we might be "forced" to loan him to Napoli
ReplyDeleteAt least he wants to stay with LFC unlike Suarez of course but the impact needed on the field is very low with what other players make. I'd use him to sign Soldado though.
ReplyDeleteHe is not stupid he will get paid more at Liverpool sitting on bench then playing at a new club. suppose that's why FSG are not buying players not selling enough
ReplyDeleteWhat's good about him is he is willing to try, knowing a lot is against him to stay at Liverpool, but this is a correct article, he does need to produce more, or work his socks off defensively to cover for Johnson, IMO I would keep him as he has enough quality to be in our squad, but I agree he will be a squad player for sure unless he improves again on his jump last season. Fair play to the lad, it's nice to have people fight for the shirt u like some people who I ain't even Guna bother naming
ReplyDeleteSuppose I'll be the one to point out the statistical anomaly again; no goals/assists IN THE LEAGUE. Clocked up both in the cups. If your gonna compare his stats between seasons, do it accurately, with suitably comparable data. Either league for both seasons, or all comps for both seasons, don't pick and choose
ReplyDeleteDo you think if Arsenal wanted Downing he wouldn't be thinking of leaving? He's "loyal" because no other big club wants him
ReplyDeleteexactly trying to do an adam sell him sell him now
ReplyDeleteYeah, its that and also that its his last chance to be at a big club which he won't get if he leaves LFC. He will be useful if we can use him as a player + cash deal rather than just selling him for 8millions.
ReplyDeleteDowning out , something about his fface which is really annoying.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens , suarez should not go to arsernal i would be more happy if he went to utd ,
ReplyDeleteutd -champions,city-90m , chelsea-special one
arsernal are our only realistic target in the top 4
so it is mad to strengthen arsernal we probally have stronger team anyway they have carzola,walcot and wilshere we have sturridge,coutinho and gerrard
arsene wangkers plan to stay in top 4 , he is scared so wants suarez
Who else would rather sell to utd then arse rnal?
Kenny what did you do to us. reckless with others money - even at the time I never thought him worth more that 11 million.
ReplyDeleteAt least he's been performing better than Ashley Young, our first choice at the time.
ReplyDeleteNever and I do mean NEVER sell to the Mancs. In a best case scenario they are about to enter the wilderness and they already have the top scorer in the league ( but he is due a return to his injury prone ways) why would we sell them the next top scorer ?
ReplyDeleteSomeone once said " I wouldnt sell them a virus" that fella didnt mean it but I do.
Downing is and has always been a quality player. Exciting? No, but quality. That he has experience, can play on either side and now as a makeshift fullback makes him a valuable squad member IMO. He's an £8m player so why bother take the money unless he's to be replaced with another £8m player? He didn't set his price tag.
ReplyDeleteA very good comment from JK.
ReplyDeleteHe has learned BR Philosophy, bringing in someone else need time to adapt to the system, and again people complain better downing, let downing stay and teachers the young stars.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Downing improved in the 2nd half of last season but Brendan is after fast and creative players and Downing as you said hasn't produced it consistently.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if 2 or 3 more attacking players are signed if/when Suarez leaves he may decide to go elsewhere for 1st team football.
ill take downing over borini and a few others all day long
ReplyDeleteall are managers have been reckless ..benitez aquaman ..robbie keane.....rogers allen and borini ....kenny made one howler with carroll which we have recouped 15m
ReplyDeleteHe is a decent squad player. Not the flashiest player around but on his day he is very useful. We did pay far to much which has also been a hindrance for him. Hopefully he can improve even more in his third season.
ReplyDeleteIn other words: 'I'm on a nice earner here' ;)
ReplyDeleteJust kidding Stewie, if it isn't all that impossible in this day and age that kind of motivation.
Kudos to Downing for the improvement last season, much kudos but I refuse (although its not like I have much say in selection ;) ) to stomach yet another season where Stewart bloody Downing starts more than 20 league games for Liverpool Football Club. No, just no.
Hope Sterling takes note of Downing's shortcomings and improvements, in relation to the bigger that is the team's playing style. Sterling is still a puppy and a winger, two things that will frustrate and even more so, when its both. So I patience for Sterling but he needs to show that element of adapting and learning sooner or later, instead of using wing play that can isolate him from the team's style.
Downing did well to turn things around, however I dont see him as top draw, which is what I want at our club. Looking at the players we currently have there is still room for him on the bench and till fill in, however if we sign someone else in his position then tbh we would be better cashing in now.
ReplyDeleteI dont think he is shocking, just not great either. Seems like a nice bloke though, so always feel a little sad putting down nice guys as there aint that many in football anymore.
and 20mil on Downing, that was over priced, along with 16mil on Hendo. Also over priced.
ReplyDeleteHendo was the better buy, however at the time he wasnt worth 16mil, so still paid way over the odds. Currently he is prob worth about 10mil but im sure in time he will hit his value.
Overall though he paid way over the odds for all of them players. Rafa made some mistakes, but as he also signed some world class players the mistakes dont seem as bad.
No manager is perfect with signings, just Kenny was prob our worst since souness, maybe more so.
Personally though I think it had a lot more to do with DC than Kenny, but managers always take the hit, which is unlucky for KK.
There is someone who could do with leaving. By that I mean this pre season tour. The MD is having a jolly up when he should be signing players. These fans want to see the players, not him.
ReplyDeleteWe will sign more players, you just need to be patient!
ReplyDeleteWhat is really great about Rodgers is that he is not scared to give our youngsters a chance.
ReplyDeleteI mean lets be honest here, would Sterling have been a regular at the age of 17 in a team managed by Rafa?
we were 7th under kenny and 8th under brendan?
ReplyDeletehard to say Max. Very hard to compare really as BR had a far weaker squad so might have been forced to play younger players than expected. Rafa had some awesome world class players so very hard to drop say Alonso for a 17 year old. It does also depend on the quality of the young players at each time. Maybe none were as good as Sterling at 17 when Rafa was here? which would make a lot of sense as he did sign a lot of youngsters including Sterling and did openly say the youth team needs a massive re-vamp.
ReplyDeleteI do get your point though, and I am a Rodgers fan, well to the extend that given his boundaires he seems to be doing things right.
My argument wasnt is Rodgers good, so maybe you mis-read what I wrote, more how can Rodgers signings be deamed bad, but KK`s ok or forgivable.
I always think the youth thing has so many more sides to it than just what age managers played young players, and that its never that simple.
Of course some mangers do prefer youngers players, but it can also have a lot to do with the owners too. If FSG tell the manager only sign young players, he is more likely to play them than a owner who signs Torres for 50mil for example.
I doubt FSG would be telling Rodgers to only sign young players when the sanctioned a deal for Toure. Aspas is 25 too.
ReplyDeleteIbe is another player who is going to have a chance to prove himself this season. Rodgers seems to have a better idea of how to introduce these kids...
apparently, reports in Brazil are intensifying that lfc have taken the lead in signing Bernard, him with Muriel and id be a happy man
ReplyDeleteTime will tell on that one. Just look at Owen. Introducing kids can only be judged nearer the end of there carears.
ReplyDeleteIts not a virtue I have ;)
ReplyDeleteLol.
And yet again my comment is deleted for pointing out inaccurate statistics...........
ReplyDeleteand so say all of us!
ReplyDeleteYNWA
Do you believe any CL team 'll take him even for free at the salary he is getting at LFC? Reminds me of English Messi - played for a Leagua 1 mid table side, at LFC's expense & we had to pay him to get rid off.
ReplyDeleteDude Reina wasn't forced he was happily shown the door after the last few years of him playing like crap and openly creaming over going to Barcelona in the papers. He stood by us when all the other Spanish fucked off and eventually gave up trying the same. In this climate with GK's i honestly don't think we could have got a much better player to replace him
ReplyDeleteI dont think thats the case at all, I think he got battered up and down the forums and papers then said fuck you and pulled some form back just like we asked of him. Then we fuck him off? No he's here to tell the youngsters about all the games and experiences he has had in a football shirt playing in the prem this is the stuff that helps these lads
ReplyDeleteI think its because half of it is missing, the lad appears to be sans chin
ReplyDeleteyou sure about that....?
ReplyDeletePlease don't mention Alberto Acqualini with the garbage purchased by KK. Actually, coming to LFC had more adverse effect to AA's career than other way round. AT 29, finally he is showing what we could have got. He was a fantastic creative player (a bit weaker for English game to start with), but for a regular Azzuri starter, at 24, £18 million wasn't that bad. Few matches that AA played, when full fit, showed glimpses of what he was capable of. I believe, he 'll be a key man in Italy's 2014 campaign. He was unfortunate that just after coming to LFC, the man who bought him was replaced by a sky-hoofer & then another Manager who was biased (I don't want to put racist) for Brits. Otherwise Acqua & Mierelas would have made a much better Midfield than Adam & Henderson.
ReplyDeleteRobbi Keane wasn't Rafa's fault, he didn't want him & I believe Borini & Allen 'll prove their worth (They might cost over £25 million, but must be at a much lower salary that any English KK bought) & at U23, have plenty of time to develop, particularly Borini. I watched Borini at Israel recently, he reminds be of Viecenzo Montela or Gilardino - very good position sense.
This was one area I had not been impressed with Rafa. He had a top class starting lineup, but not the squad for 38 match season. To accommodate, he used to rotate frequently, for which he was criticized much, but yet, never gave youngsters any opportunity. Actually, Rafa never backed the talent available at the Academy then (& hence restructured the entire system).
ReplyDeleteI am sure, had he been Manager now, like BR, he also would have given plenty of opportunities to Academy boys. Suso, Sterling, Ibe, Yasel, Coady, Wisdom, Sinclair are different breed than what Rafa had at his disposal then. After all, he was the last man to win back to back La Liga without the imbalanced riches of the big two in Spain.
It's actually "ugly".
ReplyDeleteTrue, but he is drawing the salary of a £20m player. He was never that good & even when KK paid £20m for him, he wasn't regular in a very ordinary English squad. Any day, I 'll take £8m for him & reinvest the amount in Spain, France or Latin America to get a top quality winger at half salary. For example, can you imagine, Diego Capel, was available for £5m & at around 35k/week? Michus don't come every year, I agree.
ReplyDeleteKenny made only 1 howler are you sure?? So spending 20 million on a winger who brings 0 goals & 0 assists in 36 games is ok??? and 16 million for Henderson who added absolutely nothing to the team is also ok?? Funny how your standards change when it comes to Rodgers.
ReplyDeleteKenny's signings were shocking and showed that he was simply not up to managing a proper football team in the 21st century and that's why he got the sack.
I'm pretty sure you'd take Carroll over Sturridge too. Btw, for their first season at LFC, Borini outscored Downing and he cost 2 times less, played 3 times less games and had no experience in the PL.
ReplyDeleteIMO Downing will sit out his contract, leave on a free, and another signing on fee elsewhere. So its lose lose lose for LFC.
ReplyDeleteDowning = CRAP
ReplyDeletePeople forget that it was Rafa who bought in Sterling and Suso! Look at him now quietly he's bought in Pepe and higuain! The guy can pull in top talent thats why even a job as director of football would have been good for us. We ignored him to our own loss and for one I believe his behaviour and loyalty towards us has been impeccable.
ReplyDeleteAcqua was treated pretty disgracefully. Rafa's judgement wasnt that bad and its being proved now. KK sold him and miereles to bring in players of the quality of downing and adam which says everything there is to say.
ReplyDeleteits t'other way round!
ReplyDeleteNo problem with having him there, after all you like to have some quality on your bench and if he turns out to be good enough to nail that starting spot then we'll finally have the quality player we had hoped for. Downing has improved and found some of that form again, and if Rodgers is happy to keep him there then why would we have a problem with it?
ReplyDeleteOne thing we seem to gloss over is that Downing wants to be here. When we're all crying about how Suarez is a judas and issuing death threats for wanting to leave, fans seem to put zero value in Downing's determination to put his head down and stay at a club that he desperately wants to do well for. It's a good thing. He's a guy who's made the England team plenty of times and he does have the potential to be a solid player for us. I'd think you'd really have to develop some kind of subjective dislike of the player to just be rid of him.
I agree, certainly Rodgers gives more opportunities to younger players. He has the experience of working with youngsters (at Chelsea) so he knows how to develop them. But don't forget, Rafa signed Sterling and Suso.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that though, at the start of BR's first season, he did not want Downing/Henderson in the team. Borini also got injured and Assaidi never got a look in, so his only options were in fact Sterling and Suso. Arguably, BR's preference in players gave Sterling and Suso their chance, rather than judgement.
Additionally the two youngsters wouldn't have been given chances if Rodgers did what he was supposed to do before the summer window closed and not in January, and that was to buy 2 attackers (striker and a winger). By prioritising the signing of Allen, he missed out on what was really needed. Also the injuries to Borini were unlucky, which made Rodgers transfer business look a bit worse.
Rodgers prefers players who will fit and adapt to his system, IMO he doesn't regard age as a factor.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there seems to be an FSG model of developing younger players who will grow in value, and it's something Rodgers has to work with. But it's not like FSG forced Rodgers to sign Alberto, for example, they just approve of the deal.
Also on this 'buy them young' model, I don't entirely understand it. We can buy youngsters who in fact grow in value - but the market value aspect is only important if we plan to sell the players later on. In a competitive league this surely cannot work.
Profit maximisation = Achieved
Cost minimisation = Achieved
Long term success = ?
My friend, your blind faith in KD is admirable. In reality, KD and Comolli had set LFC back many years to come which we may not recover from after all. We had made heavy concrete losses on AC and Charlie Adam. More importantly, it doesn't mean the remaining players bought by KD and Comolli are benefiting and contributing greatly to LFC. We are now being forced to hold them, specifically SD, JH and Coates. Sell them, we have to make huge losses; play them, they simply don't have enough quality to make LFC a top 6 material. Also, they are all paid incredible salaries given their ability and worst of all, we can't force any of those players to leave if they don't want to. They actually take up valuable spots in the squad. These 2 champions combined to become one of the most incapable and reckless management in the entire history for player transfer in football, or should I simply use the word 'most'. If KD is not a legendary Liverpool figure, I would seriously think he was sent by our arch rivals to annihilate the club.
ReplyDeleteAside from the wrong fact that you've gotten. We should also look at the amount of outlay to achieve a target. KD and Comolli spent nearly 120 mil pounds on players plus the original near squad full of international players. But results wise, way off target. That's why the 2 of them were sacked and that was fully justifiable.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at what happened to Arsenal whenever their top striker left, Anelka to Henry to Adebayor to RVP, I always think how badly we have been in the last 10 years in our preparation for young players to step up during transition. Who did we buy after Torres, what was the price and how was the results on pitch after having the replacement? I will have to say LS is a 'by-product' by intention and lady luck was smiling broadly to us then.
ReplyDeleteBack here, as far as I'm concerned, there's no rubbish such as 'last minute handing in of transfer request so no time to look for able replacement', the only thing that hit us was our inability to identify potential young players and nurture them into quality players hungry for success. I finally see us moving in the right direction under FSG and BR.
As a loyal LFC fan, very sadly, I don't consider ourselves English and European footballing giant anymore given our plight now. We do not have the income of Champions League football, the pull for supposedly 'top' players (HM???), a big enough stadium for top matchday revenue and the bottomless pit full of oil money. The only thing we are left with is the rich history of successes and we are sitting on it right now for huge TV broadcast deals and sponsorships.
Think about it, in the next 5 to 10 years, what if we are still the 6th or 7th team in the country? Buying expensively cannot guarantee success (look at KD's signings) and how many 100's of mil pounds does FSG have, assuming FSG is still the owner. Can we command the same respect and valuation among supporters, TV broadcasters and sponsors?
In contrast to your opinion, assuming FSG is still the owner, I think the way for us to achieve long term success right now is by focusing on investing and grooming young players and sell them for huge profit. Then channel the profit to blend a right mix of experienced and young players ready to step up to the next level. Sanely, I don't see how we can have a team of 20 year olds challenging for the top honor in EPL and the Champions League, but the basis is that the spending should be appropriately justifiable.
So much said, where is our Rush to Fowler to Owen? Will I be able to see the chain ever again?
In a side which is currently rebuilding it seems all the more important the more experienced players have more input.
ReplyDeleteFor this reason and the continued development of the younger players i pray he goes.
Rodgers should be saying no game time for you Stewart off to other pastures.
I cannot understand when somebody call Borini,Downing and Hederson is good players for LFC.Joke or serious??Untill now please tell me how big this trio players gives contribution?Downing and henderson already been 2 season but only below than 10goal.Borini already save because always get injured but next season?You will now the truth is.The best players will will know how much his performance with first or two games.P.Coutinho and D.Sturridge don't need 2 season to make big impact,only half of season they can show up the true character.We all must understand it is too risk and high pressure to keep this trio on the bench avery week because they claim high salary from LFC.Like or not,you must keep using low quality players because limited option.Now why not sell him and try reduce wage bill for the clubs?Make the way to the new players.
ReplyDeleteBASE on Asia tour, i watched every match he seem lively than Luis Alberto...Like u said his work rate is no doubt. I strongly suggest put him back to play on LW instead of RW
ReplyDeleteaquaman man cost us a fortune we paid a hefty fee and subsided his wages...are you on acid
ReplyDeletethrow in the mix two cup finals and europe ..plus could you see suarez treating kenny like hes treating rogers
ReplyDeleteborini cant even get in team and rogers forked out 11m for him that tells you how crap he is
ReplyDeleteDowning is a flat track bully the moment. He performs only if his opposing fullback is not up to scratch. I'm not looking forward to seeing Downing terrorise league 1 and 2 defences in the cup next season and then giving it oh so simply/safely to the closest red shirt in the prem.
ReplyDeleteWhy would he go to different club he's earning a huge salary here..
ReplyDeleteKenny forked out 35M for someone who couldn't get in the team and struggled to impress at West Ham. That's beyond crap
ReplyDeleteI take your point, loyalty is scarce but I'm sure Torben Piechnik and Bjorn Kwarme wanted to stay to as well. Downing lacks flair creativity and a real cutting edge.
ReplyDeleteHe's not a 3rd team player, he's an England international. At his best he's got the quality we need. No, he's not a world class attacking winger, but when he's performing well like he did at MB he can score and create goals at a PL level. Combine that with an attitude that he'll do anything for the team ... he's a good player to have in the squad. I absolutely agree that we ultimately need a starting left side attacking player who is better than Downing, no question, but where is that player at the moment? And if we do sign such a player, who's going to press him and make him work for his starting spot? Downing will play and train hard and provide a solid level of professionalism in the team. Even if he never played that would be helpful for us.
ReplyDeleteI think people write him off because he's not living up to his transfer fee, but it's a bit arbitrary isn't it? Who cares what we paid for him? That's well in the past, all that matters now is if he's actually capable of playing at a PL level. As a squad player I think he's clearly good enough.