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Kenny Dalglish happy with Stewart Downing's contribution to Liverpool so far this season
Scottish boss bemoans the England winger's luck in games and states that with a bit more fortune the former Aston Villa man could be a shining light for the Anfield club
Dec 16, 2011 6:55:00 AM
By Matt Scott
Getty
Kenny Dalglish has insisted he is delighted with Stewart Downing's start for Liverpool and that with a bit more luck, others would be as appreciative of the winger's performances.
Downing joined the Anfield club for 20 million pounds in the summer and is yet to score for the Reds and has been part of a blunt attack that has scored just 18 times in 15 games.
Liverpool has hit the woodwork 16 times already in the Premier League this season and Dalglish believes Downing may have been affected by that more than most.
"Stewart has made plenty of chances for us. He has had a few opportunities himself he has been unfortunate with," he explained to The Guardian.
He added, "If you took a percentage of the chances where the woodwork was more kind to us then everybody's stats would look better, our goals for and points total would be better, individual stats would be better."
"When they start going in everyone's stats will improve. It's been down to bad luck and inspired goalkeeping."
Downing is one of several British players to have been brought to the club by Dalglish since his return, and the Scot has praised the England winger, not only for his on-field contribution but for his impact off the pitch too.
"He's confident, not arrogant, which is nice. You don't want them to be arrogant," Dalglish said.
"I think all of the lads that have come in for their first season have settled in really well and there's not many people who settle as quickly as a lot of them have done here."
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Downing joined the Anfield club for 20 million pounds in the summer and is yet to score for the Reds and has been part of a blunt attack that has scored just 18 times in 15 games.
Liverpool has hit the woodwork 16 times already in the Premier League this season and Dalglish believes Downing may have been affected by that more than most.
"Stewart has made plenty of chances for us. He has had a few opportunities himself he has been unfortunate with," he explained to The Guardian.
He added, "If you took a percentage of the chances where the woodwork was more kind to us then everybody's stats would look better, our goals for and points total would be better, individual stats would be better."
"When they start going in everyone's stats will improve. It's been down to bad luck and inspired goalkeeping."
Downing is one of several British players to have been brought to the club by Dalglish since his return, and the Scot has praised the England winger, not only for his on-field contribution but for his impact off the pitch too.
"He's confident, not arrogant, which is nice. You don't want them to be arrogant," Dalglish said.
"I think all of the lads that have come in for their first season have settled in really well and there's not many people who settle as quickly as a lot of them have done here."
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
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