Liverpool FC Forum

[Raoul]

I've read in a couple of places (guardian was one) this morning that Rodgers see Downing as a potential LB.

The more I think about it, the more the idea grows on me. We are light at LB, we are unlikely to be able to recoup what we spent on the lad, and a Rodgers type fullback is a lot like a winger anyway. If Rodgers could make a decent fullback out of him, that would be a really good result for us.

Time will tell if he can of course - playing in a back four (even a Rodgers back four) isn't the same thing as a winger tracking back and helping out his fullback. But with only Enrique and Robinson as true LBs, having a player who is comfortable at both LB and further forward on both flanks would really help our squad depth.

[redalltheway36]

I've read in a couple of places (guardian was one) this morning that Rodgers see Downing as a potential LB.

The more I think about it, the more the idea grows on me. We are light at LB, we are unlikely to be able to recoup what we spent on the lad, and a Rodgers type fullback is a lot like a winger anyway. If Rodgers could make a decent fullback out of him, that would be a really good result for us.

Time will tell if he can of course - playing in a back four (even a Rodgers back four) isn't the same thing as a winger tracking back and helping out his fullback. But with only Enrique and Robinson as true LBs, having a player who is comfortable at both LB and further forward on both flanks would really help our squad depth.

would make  a better left corner flag than left back?

[redalltheway36]

I've read in a couple of places (guardian was one) this morning that Rodgers see Downing as a potential LB.

The more I think about it, the more the idea grows on me. We are light at LB, we are unlikely to be able to recoup what we spent on the lad, and a Rodgers type fullback is a lot like a winger anyway. If Rodgers could make a decent fullback out of him, that would be a really good result for us.

Time will tell if he can of course - playing in a back four (even a Rodgers back four) isn't the same thing as a winger tracking back and helping out his fullback. But with only Enrique and Robinson as true LBs, having a player who is comfortable at both LB and further forward on both flanks would really help our squad depth.

would make  a better left corner flag than left back?

[Kharhaz]

I've read in a couple of places (guardian was one) this morning that Rodgers see Downing as a potential LB.

The more I think about it, the more the idea grows on me. We are light at LB, we are unlikely to be able to recoup what we spent on the lad, and a Rodgers type fullback is a lot like a winger anyway. If Rodgers could make a decent fullback out of him, that would be a really good result for us.

Time will tell if he can of course - playing in a back four (even a Rodgers back four) isn't the same thing as a winger tracking back and helping out his fullback. But with only Enrique and Robinson as true LBs, having a player who is comfortable at both LB and further forward on both flanks would really help our squad depth.

would make  a better left corner flag than left back?

Would be better left back at Middlesborough.

[The Good Yank]

I think it could work out pretty good against teams that sit back and defend against us.  We'd have the most expensive fullback pairing in world football.  40 million for Johnson and Downing

[red till i die!!]

 

I've read in a couple of places (guardian was one) this morning that Rodgers see Downing as a potential LB.

The more I think about it, the more the idea grows on me. We are light at LB, we are unlikely to be able to recoup what we spent on the lad, and a Rodgers type fullback is a lot like a winger anyway. If Rodgers could make a decent fullback out of him, that would be a really good result for us.

Time will tell if he can of course - playing in a back four (even a Rodgers back four) isn't the same thing as a winger tracking back and helping out his fullback. But with only Enrique and Robinson as true LBs, having a player who is comfortable at both LB and further forward on both flanks would really help our squad depth.

would make  a better left corner flag than left back?

[Raoul]

Ah well, I tried for a sensible discussion, but I guess the object of my discussion was just too much of a joke...

[Kenny Kan]

I've read in a couple of places (guardian was one) this morning that Rodgers see Downing as a potential LB.

The more I think about it, the more the idea grows on me. We are light at LB, we are unlikely to be able to recoup what we spent on the lad, and a Rodgers type fullback is a lot like a winger anyway. If Rodgers could make a decent fullback out of him, that would be a really good result for us.

Time will tell if he can of course - playing in a back four (even a Rodgers back four) isn't the same thing as a winger tracking back and helping out his fullback. But with only Enrique and Robinson as true LBs, having a player who is comfortable at both LB and further forward on both flanks would really help our squad depth.

would make  a better left corner flag than left back?

Would be better left back at Middlesborough.

[Scottbot]

Downing at Left Back is an interesting idea, Rodgers said he played there throughout Boro's run to the UEFA Cup final a few years ago which i didn't know. Fans seem to love to hate and slate Downing and seem perpetually surprised that a player who has always been decent (but never a great deal better) throughout his career has not been excellent when playing for LFC. This time last year we are saying what a bright start he was making to his LFC career! Can he play left-back? Not sure myself, I'm not sure i've seen him make a sliding tackle before BUT he has got pace, he has a good touch, he's bright enough to play there I think and his slightly limited attacking skills (for a midfielder) actually become very good skills for a defender IF he can defend. I've got my doubts about Enrique in this system so perhaps giving Downign a run out at LB in the Europa League and the League Cup is a good idea.

[maypaxvobiscum]

After suggesting that Stewart Downing may need to convert to a left back to salvage his Liverpool career, new manager Brendan Rodgers has changed his mind and decided that the winger's future can only be in the club's accounting department.

"He's good with numbers," Rodgers said of Downing. "That's certain. When I first arrived here I asked all the outfield players to add up all the goals they scored last season and then divide that by the number of assists they had and write that number down on a piece of paper. Stewart was the first to complete the task and when asked if he checked his answer he said, 'Everyday...' and then he got real quiet like one of those sad people you see in offices. That's when I knew he'd better serve us as an accountant than someone who goes anywhere near the pitch."

Liverpool paid £20 million for Downing last summer, but like many of previous manager Kenny Dalglish's other signings, he's fallen out of favor in the new regime. But Rodgers remains confident that he can find a place for these players if they can't be sold.

[paisleyred]

[aCe']

Downing at Left Back is an interesting idea, Rodgers said he played there throughout Boro's run to the UEFA Cup final a few years ago which i didn't know. Fans seem to love to hate and slate Downing and seem perpetually surprised that a player who has always been decent (but never a great deal better) throughout his career has not been excellent when playing for LFC. This time last year we are saying what a bright start he was making to his LFC career! Can he play left-back? Not sure myself, I'm not sure i've seen him make a sliding tackle before BUT he has got pace, he has a good touch, he's bright enough to play there I think and his slightly limited attacking skills (for a midfielder) actually become very good skills for a defender IF he can defend. I've got my doubts about Enrique in this system so perhaps giving Downign a run out at LB in the Europa League and the League Cup is a good idea.

Personally, I wouldnt even entertain the thought unless Enrique gets injured and Robinson fails to step up to the plate. Besides the fact that his defensive 'skills' are questionable at best, we are almost embarrassingly short on wide players without converting one of only 2 recognized wingers we have in the squad. Like you said, he's good but not great. At the moment, I'd take that over nothing especially if we continue to play with 3 upfront. Borini (a center forward being played out of position) hasn't done much better than Downing in the wide role and early indicators suggest to me that for the foreseeable future he wont. Sterling while being a bright prospect is only 17 and cant be expected to play the full 90 minutes never-mind 2 games in a week. Add the fact that we have 4 competitions and will probably play more games this season than any other club in the league and you start to realize that (unless new players come in) Downing will have a big role to play as a winger and we might as well start hoping and praying that he improves his game.

[Kenny Kan]

Downing at Left Back is an interesting idea, Rodgers said he played there throughout Boro's run to the UEFA Cup final a few years ago which i didn't know. Fans seem to love to hate and slate Downing and seem perpetually surprised that a player who has always been decent (but never a great deal better) throughout his career has not been excellent when playing for LFC. This time last year we are saying what a bright start he was making to his LFC career! Can he play left-back? Not sure myself, I'm not sure i've seen him make a sliding tackle before BUT he has got pace, he has a good touch, he's bright enough to play there I think and his slightly limited attacking skills (for a midfielder) actually become very good skills for a defender IF he can defend. I've got my doubts about Enrique in this system so perhaps giving Downign a run out at LB in the Europa League and the League Cup is a good idea.

Personally, I wouldnt even entertain the thought unless Enrique gets injured and Robinson fails to step up to the plate. Besides the fact that his defensive 'skills' are questionable at best, we are almost embarrassingly short on wide players without converting one of only 2 recognized wingers we have in the squad. Like you said, he's good but not great. At the moment, I'd take that over nothing especially if we continue to play with 3 upfront. Borini (a center forward being played out of position) hasn't done much better than Downing in the wide role and early indicators suggest to me that for the foreseeable future he wont. Sterling while being a bright prospect is only 17 and cant be expected to play the full 90 minutes never-mind 2 games in a week. Add the fact that we have 4 competitions and will probably play more games this season than any other club in the league and you start to realize that (unless new players come in) Downing will have a big role to play as a winger and we might as well start hoping and praying that he improves his game.

I don't know what Downing you watch but his attacking "skills" are inept at best - hence the reason Rodgers should entertain the idea of making him a fullback. I'll have no qualms in admitting Dalglish dropped two bombs regarding Downing. First signing him, and second paying that ridiculous amount for him, literally a no hoper of a winger. He isn't "good", at all, in fact he's shi.t. And i wouldn't take that over "nothing" and given time I'd put my mortgage on it that an out of position Borini will have more impact than a "supposed" customed winger like droopy Downing.

[Ian Rush's Right foot]

Stuart Downings best position, is Left Back (in the dressing room)

Really disappointed with his contribution, has the tools but is so dependant on his confidence that I don't think he'll ever come to terms with playing for Liverpool. Will be a great player for a lesser team but unless he gets some solid performances under his belt he'll never regain his form from a few seasons ago.

Cannot defend well enough to play left back, but I hope I'm wrong

[Bad Bob]

Not a bad option as a back up for Enrique and for Europa League matches.  At the very least, it might take some of the pressure off him going forward and at least keep him on the left flank where he can use his left foot.  I Don't know how many times he played down the right last year and offered next to nothing by always trying to cut inside onto his preferred foot.  That experiment always did my head in and clearly didn't do Stewie any favours either.  If he can reinvent himself as a decent squad player at LB he might have a future here or make himself more marketable for future transfer windows.