Stewart Downing: Fascinating facts

Liverpool - All you need to know about Stewart Downing

By Emdad Rahman

Original article  - Liverpool have been crying out for a quality wing man since the days John Barnes galloped down the left flank whilst tearing the opposition to shreds.

With Kenny Dalglish looking to the past in moving forward, Liverpool went all out to secure a talismanic winger, striking a deal with Alex McLeish’s Villa for Stewart Downing.

And there you have it – a no frills, bonafide, old fashioned inside left/winger. "A sensational find," said Portugal and Lazio star Fernando Couto after a 2005 battering by Boro in 2005.

Downing and Adam Johnson are the best English wingers in the country and his accurate left peg and pace down the flanks will be instrumental in supplying the required ammunition to Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Kenny Dalglish cut short his Malaysia trip with the club to return to Liverpool ahead of completing his latest star signing.

With the Reds still in the market for further reinforcements, there is the mouth watering prospect of Downing being joined on the flanks by a right sided raider.
 

Here’s a few facts about the Liverpool new boy:

-Downing grew up on the Pallister Estate and grew up supporting Middlesbrough FC.

-He joined Boro as a child, graduating from the Academy as one of the clubs brightest young talents.

-Downing’s first goal for was in a 4-1 win for Boro over Brentford in the League Cup.

-Last season Downing scored the first Barclays Premier League goal of the season against West Ham United.

-One of the wingers career highs is his remarkable performance in Boro's amazing comeback against Steaua Bucharest in the 2005 UEFA Cup.

-The incisive Downing travelled as back up to Joe Cole at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, appearing against Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago.

-He is known as a man who is quite shy and quiet. However Downing has a very deafening and often ear splitting hobby – he is a DJ in his spare time.

-Downing chose Liverpool despite interest from Champions League qualifiers Arsenal.

-With 135 – Downing completed more crosses in open play than any other top-flight player last season.


-Ex Liverpool Star Steve McManaman is amongst many supporters that have lauded the former Villa man as an ideal player for the Reds.