STEWART DOWNING has revealed how being threatened with the Anfield exit inspired his recent run of form.
The England winger has been one of Liverpool’s best performers in the past weeks and has started each of the Reds’ last 10 games.
But his upturn in fortunes only came after boss Brendan Rodgers told him he could leave the club.
Downing, 28, said: “I wasn’t in the team or playing and he said to me maybe I could look elsewhere because I need to play at my age.
“I didn’t totally agree, but I understood where he was coming from.
“Obviously he needs players who are going to play and not be sat about, but I thought in the back of my mind if I get a chance I can prove myself to him.
“Luckily enough, I did in the next week or so after that.
“Our conversations have been very open — if I’m doing well he will say so and if not, I’ll be pulled aside and told what I need to do.
“It’s the same for all the players. It’s good for me and that’s how I like it — to be told if it’s right or wrong.
“At the moment it’s all going well and he’s pleased with me, so I have to keep it going.
“I said to him I’d love to stay and if I keep playing well, then hopefully it can continue into the seasons after.
“I’ve still got a few more years on my contract so I’d like to see it out if that can happen — and the only thing I can do is play well and he’ll keep me in the team.”
Kenny Dalglish lured Downing to Merseyside in a £20million move from Aston Villa in July 2011.
But he struggled in his first season at Anfield and had a mixed start under Rodgers.
Now though, Downing believes he is performing at the peak of his powers.
He added: “The first season was patchy, I was in and out, but this year since I came back into the side it’s been consistently quite good.
“As I said, it’s probably because the team is playing quite well that it’s all come together.
“A good run of games has been good for me. I think I’ve proven in my career that if I play regularly, I tend to give good and consistent performances.
“It was disappointing because I was in and out, in and out and it was becoming a bit frustrating at times, but the best thing is playing in a winning team and playing with good players helps.
“There’s consistency in the whole team, which is helping my game as well.”
The Sun
