Downing: Stevie chat sealed it

The former Aston Villa winger admits he already had his heart set on a transfer to Anfield and was even more eager to link-up with boss Kenny Dalglish following a chat with the skipper.

Downing said: "Nobody needed to sell the club to me.

"It's Liverpool Football Club - there's a great pull.

"Steven told me about the investment coming into the team. He told me about the place and what Kenny is like to work with.

"I've found out for myself in the last few weeks that he's brilliant to work with. Training has been really good.

"He wants players to respect this football club and do well for it. He has invested heavily to bring me here and I want to do well for him.

"All managers are different. Martin O'Neill would make you feel on top of the world some days and tell you were the best player in the world.

"I think Kenny is a little bit more laid back until the serious work comes along and then he demands the best from the players and that they respect this football club. And he has tremendous respect for the supporters.

"There's a great squad here and I'm looking forward to getting started."

Had Downing had his way he would have already been a Liverpool player by now after being the subject of much transfer speculation during Rafael Benitez's tenure at Anfield.

He concedes he was disappointed things didn't come to fruition sooner but is just happy the deal finally materialised.

"There was a bit of interest a few years back but they decided to take other options in the end with Riera and those type of people," Downing said.

"That's fair enough - that was the manager's choice. I was obviously disappointed at the time because Liverpool is a tremendous football club and someone you would always want to play for.

"I'm just so glad this opportunity came back around. As soon as I heard there was interest I wanted to come here, especially with Kenny Dalglish being manager."

Downing arrives at Anfield on the back of an impressive season with Villa where he netted eight times and notched up nine assists.

It may not have been the most successful period for the Villans but the ex-Middlesbrough man was satisfied with his own displays following a year of frustration.

"When I went to Aston Villa I missed a big chunk of the first season due to injury," he said.

"People didn't see a lot of me so I knew last season was a big one for me. I needed to hit the ground running and play consistently well.

"It was difficult at times with the situation we were in but I just tried to get my head down and get on with it. It went quite well for me personally."

Liverpool finished sixth last season and missed out on a European spot.

Downing is unfazed by the prospect of a campaign focused on the domestic front and is confident the Reds will be back in the Champions League sooner rather than later.

"I was asked if I thought I could play in the Champions League and I said if the opportunity came I would like to," he said.

"I think I can make that step up and achieve that with Liverpool.

"There's a buzz back around the place. The manager has invested in the team and the owners are backing him all the way.

"There's a good mix of foreign lads and British players and a great atmosphere around the place.

"The people I've met around the city have been great. Everywhere you go fans want to know what's happening. I'm still living in a hotel at the moment but I feel settled already.

"I really feel this club is on the way up. I'm really happy and want to have success here."

Recognised as one of the few natural wingers in the Barclays Premier League, Downing feels he has the versatility to adapt to whatever formation Dalglish opts to implement.

"Kenny has not really spoken to me about what position I'm going to play," he said.

"But I can play on the left or the right and I can fit in whether we go wide or play narrow."

"Liverpool haven't had that many wingers recently but the club was renowned for their wingers back in the day and hopefully I can do well here and provide."

Liverpool have enjoyed a busy summer in the transfer market and now boast a number of midfield options.

Downing believes competition for a starting berth will be even greater as a result and is keen to convince Dalglish he deserves a place in the team on a regular basis.

He added: "You do wonder what team Kenny is going to select when the league starts because there are a lot of good players here. It's difficult to pick a starting XI.

"My first challenge is to get in the side. The money that was paid for me won't mean anything to Kenny.

"He will just see a player he wants in that position. His job is to get the best out of his players and if you don't perform you won't be in the team - it's as simple as that.

"I'm just excited to come here and play and I just want to carry on my form from Villa."