Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[BobTheCharmer]

I swear to God that Downing, Adam, Henderson and Carroll are going to give me nightmares in my old age. Just the thought of that lot joining us last year....

Lets see how allen & borini fare before getting all melodramatic on us.

I thought we signed players on 3-4 year contracts. Now the guilotine is readied after a season, players written off.

Downing is a decent player. He created a number of chances last year which we didn't convert. There is no reason he can't work in Rodgers system. In fact he scored in europe already didn't he? against those same no hopers that everybody was creaming themselves about when borini was opeing his account. He isn't ever worth £20m. Is that Kenny's fault or did he suggest the player and the fee/package was comoli? who knows.

Adam is a good player and had a number of assists last season. He just isn't atheltic enough for us going forwards in a high tempo pressing game. Molby would be cast aside as a flop these days. He'll do well at his next club. I think we easily got our moneys worth from Adam. No qualms about it at all.

Carroll is a good player. A good lad with a good attitude. He isn't 35m but there were plenty of signs towards the back end of last season that he could be a beast for us. It wasn't his fault the club decided to sack the manager and replace with a guy with 3 years management under his belt who seems to base his whole playing theory around the spanish tic tac bull**** or as I know like to call it 'the chuckle brothers system' to me to you to you to me etc

Henderson - I don't see a lot with him. Although there are the odd moments where he does look a player.

I think all of them struggled with the pressure of playing for us which has taken its toll.

The fact we signed these for such large sums and some/all won't fit with the new manager is why I'd have kept faith with Kenny. He may well of moved some on. We'll never know.

Some of the existing players let us down just as bad as the new boys did. Reina was as far off being a top keeper last year it was embarrassing at times.

[BobTheCharmer]

£75 odd million then add on the wages nothing from any of them at all.....total transfer lunacy

nothing at all. bull**** bender. bull****.

[Mostar]

£75 odd million then add on the wages nothing from any of them at all.....total transfer lunacy

It is what it is.

No point of dwelling on it and constantly talking about it.

Constant reminders will not do us any good.

It is in the past.

We have to move on.

[Chazza]

Downing may have to play left-back if he wants to stay at Liverpool

• Brendan Rodgers says player is receptive to the idea
• Change would further dismantle Kenny Dalglish team

Brendan Rodgers has warned Stewart Downing that the winger may have to convert to left-back to have any future at Liverpool, as the new manager continues to dismantle Kenny Dalglish's project.

Last summer Dalglish paid £20m for Downing, who has 34 England caps as an attacking wideman, with the 28-year-old a member of Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad. Rodgers succeeded Dalglish in June and Downing becomes the latest player signed by the Scot to find his future at Anfield uncertain under the Northern Irishman.

Rodgers has indicated that Andy Carroll, also bought by Dalglish for a record £35m last summer, might be sold if a suitable offer is made. The England striker did not start either of Liverpool's opening two league games of the season.

While Charlie Adam, another Dalglish signing – last July for £9m – may also be sold, Rodgers said of Dowining: "I think it is a big possibility that he can play there. If you look at the modern-day full-backs, [Jordi] Alba [Spain left-back], [Chelsea's] Ashley Cole – Ashley Cole was a centre-forward. When I bring young players through, I will always bring attackers because they can move back. When Middlesbrough reached the Uefa Cup final against Sevilla, he played left-back on that run. Sometimes it can release the pressure on players. His job at the top end of the pitch is to create and score goals. But you looked at him in the half-hour against Hearts [last Thursday], he served the ball well, he got forward and defended a couple of times. That is important."

Liverpool's first-choice left-back is currently José Enrique, who Dalglish paid £5m for last August. But Rodgers believes Downing has the ability to play in the position. "I think he is good enough for that. Absolutely," he said. "Time will tell [whether he can do it consistently]. I don't like to just give up on players. I always look at different ways you can play them. Stewart has a future as an attacking player but I have had a good chat with him on the role and he is excited about it. That is the biggest thing.

"There is no point putting a player into a position he doesn't want to play. But when you speak to someone and tell them what the future could be, along with the qualities that he has, there is no doubt that in the modern game, he could play that role."

Downing's team-mate, Jay Spearing, is weighing up his options after Wolves and Aston Villa became the latest clubs to express interest in signing the Liverpool midfielder. Bolton Wanderers have been tracking Spearing for some time and were confident of landing the player, but reports that he has agreed a £3m move to the Reebok Stadium are premature.

It is understood that Spearing has yet to make up his mind about his preferred destination and that his preference would be to go on a season-long loan rather than sign a permanent deal and sever ties with Liverpool. Spearing has two years left on his contract at Liverpool and although it is difficult to see him breaking through at Anfield in the near future, he has not given up hope.

The situation has become more complicated in the last 48 hours because of fresh interest in the player from at least three other clubs. Villa have made an inquiry and asked to be kept informed of developments, while Wolves have been more persistent in their attempts to bring Spearing to Molineux.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/28/brendan-rodgers-stewart-downing-liverpool?CMP=twt_gu

[McDermotX]

I don't like to just give up on players.

I hope Downing can read between them lines.

[Reece]

Wonder if he'll play the full game against Hearts at LB

[Reece]

Although that would be harsh on Robinson.

[Gibbo]

I don't think he's got enough bottle to be a defender.

[Vermilion]

I'd rather sell him than convert him into a defender.

[Fredo]

Harsh on Robinson but the positives is that we're looking for a winger.

[BobTheCharmer]

I don't reckon he fancies Enrique much either and to be honest I don't blame him.

[BigChief]

Big smackdown for both Downing (who he's nearly given up hope on, his words not mine) and Enrique. Good, put some noses out of joint.

Robinson will continue to be backup until he steps up.

[Charly]

I don't reckon he fancies Enrique much either and to be honest I don't blame him.

Enrique was great for the first half of last season. He has proved he can produce the goods. Perhaps he can get him performing again.

Downing on the other hand has not once produced in a red shirt. Worst ever signing, I reckon. No goals and no assists in the league. Terrible performances married to terrible stats.

[kris90210]

I don't reckon he fancies Enrique much either and to be honest I don't blame him.

Enrique showed more last season than downing, Carroll, Henderson and Adam and you've been defending those. He had a pretty dismal run, but at least we know he's capable of playing well for us

[Fosterbloke]

He might make for an excellent defender. Let's not dismiss him so lightly.