Cast out Downing back in the light?

Football they say is a funny old game and in the case of Stewart Downing it is beyond bizarre. The midfielder for nearly 18 months was it is far to say less than impressive following his move to Liverpool with his inability to buy an assist or goal becoming one of those long running footballing jokes, as a result of these failings it seemed Anfield were ready to cut their losses on the player. However they were left stuck with the out of sorts Downing, given that nobody was wanting to make a move on a wide man who did not look like getting near to creating a goal.

How things have changed though in the last four months with Downing producing several encouraging displays and forcing his way back into first team plans, that horrendous no goals and no assists since his move stat was finally banished at the 44th time of asking (leading to more inevitable jokes). This upturn in form has not gone unnoticed by Brendan Rodgers with the Liverpool manager outlining to Downing that he now does have a future at the club acccording to ESPN, quite the turnaround for a player who was surplus to requirements in January.

It won't be easy for Downing with the likes of Phillipe Countihno to compete with, however contrary to popular belief he is not quite the dust bin everyone would have you believe and in getting him playing near to his best Rodgers has surprisingly found another key asset in his squad.