Hooray for "King" Kenny

[Albumen]

A player who's in the england squad at the peak of his game with probably the best left foot cross in the premiership? 20m isnt bad I say. Downing isn't the shit player he was, he's a pretty rare thing in fact. He'll be perfect for Carroll too.
Henderson is the odd one for me but if he's being groomed as the replacement for Gerrard maybe he's worth it. We'll wait and see.
If Liverpool get into the CL or possibly threaten to win something 20 mill will be quickly forgotten.

 

[seagullondon]

Downing did used to be very poor but he has improved enormously and was a different player last season.

 

[Simster]

Downing did used to be very poor but he has improved enormously and was a different player last season.

Two words.

Glenn Murray.

And Poyet (who can do no wrong) didn't think he was worth keeping hold of.

 

[Coleman88]

To be fair I think this is a good signing, overpriced definitely, but I think he'll form a very good partnership with Carroll next season and I can see Liverpool challenging to get back into that top 4.

 

[Martinf]

So our stadium is worth five Stewart Downing's? Personally I'd rather have the stadium.

 

[The Buttery Biscuit Base]

You pay a premium for a decent English player, but I defiantly don't think he is crap.

Very good winger, great passer of the ball, tremendous crosser and has a fantastic shot on him.

 

[TS90]

Over the last 3 years, the only two players in the Premier League who have completed more crosses than Downing are, Leighton Baines (best crosser in the Premier League by far) and Nani. Two players who would be completely unattainable for Liverpool. Now given the fact that Andy Carroll is the target in the middle, I think it makes sense to have someone who can cross the ball effectively.

 

[astevens76]

Downing can cross a ball (even if he can't seem to run it past the fullback) and Andy Carroll has a knack of scoring goals with his head/knocking it down for someone else to score(Gerrard, Suarez..).
Could turn out to be £20mil well spent for Liverpool

 

[Simon Morgan]

Had a very good season last time out, improved massively from before. £20m is an uncomfortable amount of money for them to be spending on a player like Downing but I think he'll do ok. There are probably better options at a smaller price mind you.

 

[Simon Morgan]

Two words.

Glenn Murray.

And Poyet (who can do no wrong) didn't think he was worth keeping hold of.

Not sure what this has to do with anything. I would certainly never have described Murray as "very poor" during his time with us. I remember in the Cup game against us that Downing did not look out of place against lg 1 opposition. He has come on a lot since then.

 

[Sam Ovett]

I'd rather £20 million spent on Eden Hazard

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Leighton Baines for 20M and Everton wouldn't be tempted?

 

[The Modfather]

To be fair I think this is a good signing, overpriced definitely, but I think he'll form a very good partnership with Carroll next season and I can see Liverpool challenging to get back into that top 4.

If they can add a couple of decent defenders, i would expect them to break in to the top 4 again

 

[Sussex Nomad]

It's nailed on you could find someone as good as Downing in somewhere like Croatia for about £1million, if you could be bothered to scout them.

So why haven't we got him? Don't actually agree with you.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

I remember Dalglish first time round at Liverpool, and at Blackburn. he spent an absolute fortune and won titles. He is a very good manager, especially in his own back yard (Liverpool not Celtic) and I would, if I were a betting man, stick a wedge on Liverpool being top four this season. KD is quality when he is managing his club.

 

[WhingForPresident]

I'd rather £20 million spent on Eden Hazard

Football Manager?

 

[DJ Leon]

From Opta:

‎Since Aug 2004, only 4 players (Lampard, Fabregas, Gerrard & Giggs) have created more PL chances than Stewart Downing.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Downing -> floated cross -> Carroll -> GOAL.

Simple, yet effective.

One day, the English football mindset might move on a few decades.

 

[H2O]

Hard to pick liverpools starting midfield now though. Gerrard downing kuyt Adams Cole Henderson that Portuguese lad and the young brazilian and spearing who played pretty well at the end of last season.

 

[Peever]

Our player of the season in the one just past and a big reason we were able to stay up. From a guy who not to long ago was banging on about how we would stay at the Villa even IF relegated to go and do this is a slap in the face. Someone who only a few years back we spent 12 million on while having a broken foot! Money talks and in this case its more ways than one. One for Downings pay increase but the fact that it seems Randy was behind this deal. One of the first things AM said after signing for Villa was Downing WOULD not for ANY price be let go this season. Now all the sudden he is gone?

3 summers in a row and 4 of our best have walked out the door. Doing my head in! With this now N zogbia will join us for an inflated price and Albrighton will be on the the wing as well. Going to be an interesting season needless to say