Downing hoping to follow Barnes

Not since John Barnes was flying down the line in the late 1980s have Reds fans had a wide-man about whom they could get genuinely, and consistently, excited by.

Only Steve McManaman, in truth, has come close - and even he eventually morphed into a more central player.

Stewart Downing is the latest to try his luck, having arrived in a deal from Aston Villa. And the England international hopes he can be the man to get the Anfield crowd on the edge of their seats once more.

"The top wingers tend to do it on a regular basis," says the 27-year-old. "When you look at (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Ryan) Giggs down the years they have done it consistently and that's what I want to do.

"Whether the manager sees me playing out wide or in different positions, I just want to do well, chip in with goals and provide chances for the front players.

"Fans come to games to be entertained, and hopefully we can do that this season. If I'm out wide I'll do my best to get to the byline and whip in crosses as well as chip in with goals.

"That's what the front lads will want from me - especially Andy (Carroll), who is a threat in the box. Nine times out of 10 he's going to get on the end of it. I've not played with Luis Suarez and people like that yet, but he's a top player so I'm looking forward to it."

So too are Liverpool supporters. The Reds' pre-season campaign has been a mixed one, but Downing's quality and positivity has stood out a mile.

The former Middlesbrough man was Villa's Player of the Year last season, and believes he has arrived on Merseyside playing the best football of his career.

"It probably is in terms of consistency," he says. "Last season was my most consistent by far and I just want that to continue. I think that happens as you get older. It's a big season for me personally and for the club. I want to play well on a regular basis.

"I felt really good last year, and it would be nice to do well because the manager has invested a lot of money in me, so if I can do well for him and the club I'll be very pleased."

He continues: "Kenny has obviously spent a large amount to get me here which is something I am proud and feel privileged about," adds Downing. "But I just want to keep playing like I did for Aston Villa last season and carry on my good form. I won't do anything differently.

"Just because it was a big fee doesn't mean I should change. I was brought here to do what I did at Aston Villa. Whether that's on the left or right, it's up to the manager. I just want to do my best for Liverpool."

And what of the increase in expectation? Villa, after all, are not a club that expects to win silverware season upon season.

"There's no hiding the fact that this club has high expectations," he adds. "It's a club that deserves to be in Europe.

"In the past they've done very well and I'm sure the players and manager will want to do well for the owners and get back into that top bracket.

"We've certainly got the squad now. There is a lot of competition for places which maybe there wasn't before, so I think it should be an aim."

Exciting football, consistency and European qualification? It is ambitious talk.

And if Downing can match words with actions, Liverpool may just view their new man as a bargain.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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