Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has revealed that he has been surprised at just how good winger Stewart Downing really is and is sure that he will be a big success at Anfield.
The former Aston Villa midfielder has struggled to win over the Kop faithful since arriving for £20million in the summer and is yet to score a Premier League goal, while only opening his account in the FA Cup against Oldham two weeks ago.
Downing is yet to provide a single assist in the league, but Dalglish has made it clear that he has no doubt that the winger will end up being a fan favourite and a huge success.
"Stewart is a fantastic footballer, an England international, who made a big move in the summer to come here," Dalglish told Sky Sports.
"This is a massive club, with all due respect to the others he's been at. It's going to take a little bit of time to get used to his surroundings, but we don't have any change of opinion on him as a player from what it was before.
"He's got more crosses in than anyone else, according to the stats. Our job as a team is to get in there and put them in the back of the net."
Liverpool have struggled to find the back of the net this season, with Downing expected to certainly create many more opportunities than he has done this season. Yet, Dalglish has admitted that the 27-year-old has taken him by surprise with his ability on the ball.
"For me, he's better than I thought he was going to be," said Dalglish. "I don't think it's been too comfortable for him because we've played him in two or three different positions. Maybe we have to look at ourselves and say we have to be fair as well.
"But he's better than I thought he was. He's a better footballer - he's also quicker than I thought."
