Before Sunday’s Carling Cup final much of the talked revolved around how a victory over Cardiff City may act as a catalyst and propel Liverpool to overdue success. Whilst that remains to be seen, it could also prove to be a catalyst for Sunday’s man-of-the-match Stuart Downing. The 27 year old was signed in the summer to fill a troubling void for Liverpool on the left side of midfield but he is yet to produce the form that convinced Kenny Dalglish to stump up a reported £20 million pounds.
It was felt at the time that the price tag was unwarranted for a man who has played most of his career at middle table sides such a Middlesborough and Aston Villa and it appears there are still major question marks over his valuation.
The Englishman was brought to Anfield to give Dalglish’s side a sense of vibrancy, pace, natural width and quality distribution but has in return produced no goals and yes, no assists in the league to date. But, arguably for first the first time since an early burst of form in the first few weeks of the season Downing appeared to show signs that he could be a success on Merseyside.
Downing ran tirelessly up and down the left flank in coalition with Jose Enrique displaying great pace and a surprisingly good final ball, something which has been absent from Downing’s game in recent times. If it wasn’t for the reds lack of a natural number nine poaching goals along the six yard box Downing would have surely added assists to his modest stats as he sent ball after ball cutting across goal.
At times on Sunday including his unflappable penalty, Downing looked as though he could defy his critics and become a real success on Anfield. If the former Aston Villa man is able to replicate his performance in the season’s last few months then he will be looked upon much more brightly as a player Dalglish was right to take a chance on.
It remains to be seen whether Downing’s cup final performance was a flash in the pan due to the occasion but it’s a positive sign none the less. He will be eager to point out that Liverpool were right to take a chance that no other big club had done despite the international recognition Downing has had for many years. Many Liverpool fans will be hoping his performances will now take an sharp up turn in fortunes as there is no doubt that an on form Stewart Downing will improve Liverpool massively.
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