The former Liverpool man has made a better start to the Premier League season than any of the Reds’ current crop.
Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Saturday raised a large number of alarming issues. But what was perhaps the least significant of these might have hurt their pride the most.
Indeed, in being Hammered by Sam Allardyce’s men, the Reds were losing to a former Liverpool midfielder in Stewart Downing.
The 30-year-old was once one of the Premier League’s form players at Aston Villa – but a big-money move to Anfield did little for his career. And, after a hugely unsuccessful time on Merseyside, he left for Upton Park.
But what a season he is now having with West Ham United, during his second campaign at the club, as Liverpool bore witness to at the weekend…
| Team | Pos | Accurate Crosses / app | Dribbles Won / app | Assists / app | Successful Final-Third Passes / app | Chances Created / app | Apps | Mins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stewart Downing | West Ham | MF | 2.40 | 0.60 | 0.60 | 12.40 | 3.20 | 5 | 449 |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool | MF | 1.20 | 0 | 0 | 11.40 | 2.00 | 5 | 450 |
| Philippe Coutinho | Liverpool | MF | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 14.67 | 1.00 | 3 | 226 |
| Adam Lallana | Liverpool | MF | 1.00 | 0 | 0 | 7.00 | 1.00 | 2 | 106 |
| Jordan Henderson | Liverpool | MF | 0.80 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 14.60 | 1.40 | 5 | 450 |
| Raheem Sterling | Liverpool | MF | 0 | 2.60 | 0.20 | 11.80 | 1.60 | 5 | 374 |
Indeed, as Opta stats show, none of Rodgers’ current midfielders come anywhere near Downing in terms of Premier League form.
In terms of crosses, Downing wins. In terms of assists, Downing wins. And, in terms of chances created, surprise, surprise, Downing also wins!
The 30-year-old is not quite king of the Kop in terms of dribbles won per game, with Raheem Sterling running away with that title, while Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson also average more successful final-third passes per game than the West Ham midfielder.
But Downing’s crossing accuracy and chance creation are certainly a cut above right now, explaining why he has more assists to his name so far this term.
Saturday’s win against his former side will no doubt have provided him with plenty of satisfaction.
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