When you pay £20million for a player, the most important thing to do is to make sure you get the best out of him. Stewart Downing had a good solid debut; one which he can build on in upcoming matches. The 27 year old started the match on the left hand side and his good pace and ball control gave the Reds the much added width fans have been crying out for.
During the match however, Kenny Dalglish opted to switch Downing to the right on a few occasions. Stewart was selected by Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier to play on the right hand side as an inverted winger for many matches for Villa last season and it didn’t seem to affect his form as he was name the club’s player of the season.
In fact it could be argued to Downing could be even more effective on the right hand side for Liverpool this season as he would be a more direct threat on goal. His great run and shot which hit the bar, is testament to this:
[youtube WdhCYZS9N8k&feature=player_embedded]
The increase in popularity of inverted wingers in recent years has certainly shown that such an approach can be very effective. Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben is a perfect example at how successful they can be when he starred in getting the German side to the Champions League final in 2010. Angel Di Maria has been converted into the position by Jose Mourinho last season while Adam Johnson has also shown its virtues at Manchester City. Houllier himself also saw the benefits in converting Downing last campaign.
Left as he still cuts in on his left when he plays on the right, it’s ok switching from wing to wing during the game, but his best position is left wing, leaving Kuyt and Suarez working the right wing n strike……YNWA
When Gerrard’s fit i’d play Downing on the right with Adam on the left of midfield
Adam doesn’t have the pace to go out to the left. He played there for Rangers and it never worked. He’s better served in the middle.
Personally I would opt for 433
Carroll
Downing Suarez
Stevie G
Adam Lucas
Enrique Agger Carra Johnson
Reina
Perfect..I thought the same, however I’m not sold on Lucas as an everyday player…A couple few above average games and a gem against Chelsea shouldn’t win a place in the starting 11 side!
As long as Lucas is out we’ll be ok. Lucas is garbage
Tedious 3PHD. the article was about Downing, not Lucas. Why go in for more Lucas knocking?
I couldn’t agree more, hate people who come on this site with their own agendas and have no interest in the articles, just the desire to make stupid statements about players they don’t like or things that aren’t even relevant.
Incidentally, I think Downing totally, 100% needs to be utilised on the left; there are plenty of options for the right-hand side and I think that a partnership between him and Enrique is very exciting for Reds fans.
if you havn’t got anything good to say don’t say anything at all.
that last comment was to 3PHD
how about this, why not BOTH. modern wingers switch flanks all the time throughout the game. as a result, opposing fullbacks have two different players with different tendencies, skills and strengths running at them throughout the game. they can’t adapt as well.
not everything has to be set in stone.
good point!!
Thank you…exactly what I have been saying. Whichever fullback you’re getting more change out of, that is the flank you should attack. The default option should be left, but if you are getting more joy of the LB then switching flanks is fine. Keeps the opposition guessing!
To me,this is quite an unnecessary question. Call Downing & ask him where he’s more comfortable. If left,then play him there. Why should you move a player around for no good reason like we are short of manpower on the right. YES! He hit the bar from the right wing but then,maybe it would have been a GOAL from the left.Also to me the issue of getting a defender is no issue to me, if u can just be patient enough to count the number of defenders we have u may want to agree wit me that we are good to go defensively esplly now that we have Enrique. What we need is a Striker. Carrol is stil struggling to make an impact and i doubt if he will ever get there(pls dont bite me!jst my opinion). In fact he’s spoilin our pass&move style wit the ‘all ball to Carol’s head’pattern of play. Suarez could be injured. Then we’ll be left wit N’gog. I’d prefer to see us buy a good striker than see us buy a defender.
Frozen…I’m convinced that Downing will be a menace to deal with. Have him floating throughout the game will keep the opposing defence tired! and that includes covering Suarez, Carroll, and others. Downing has had a fantastic first game as he littered the box with crosses in the 1st half and his mazy runs had the defence thinking…It would have been a perfect finish if that ball kept a foot under the bar!, but I’m sure we’ll see a lot more from Downing as he looks really motivated to WIN!
Sure! We will keep hoping for the best. YNWA.@Shaun