Stewart Downing believes Liverpool can reap the rewards of a high-tempo start to this afternoon's clash with Chelsea.

The England winger feels an energetic opening to games has been one of the main reasons the Reds can boast an impressive record on the road so far in 2011-12 - and he insists Kenny Dalglish's side head to Stamford Bridge confident they can continue that form.

Downing told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I think starting games well is the key. When we do start brightly, we tend to get into the lead and win games. But if you start sloppy, Chelsea can punish us.

"That is what the manager is drumming into us - to start well at a good pace, get into them and let them know they're in for a tough game.

" They're a top team, but I think there are areas there we can exploit. If we can be a bit more ruthless in our play, I think we can get goals at Stamford Bridge.

"It will be a tough game, but you can sense in the atmosphere around the place we're confident of going there and getting a result."

Watch the video here »

Chelsea's last home match saw them slip to a heavy 5-3 defeat to Arsenal last month, while they have conceded 15 goals in their 11 Barclays Premier League matches this term.

Downing believes a change in emphasis under new coach Andre Villas-Boas could be the reason for the Blues' defensive record.

"I think they are a lot different to what they used to be," he said. "They've got a lot of attacking, flair players which they didn't really have in the past. They've been a solid team with power and pace, but now I think they've changed a little bit.

"I think they're open to play against and if we can create chances against them, we'll get goals. Hopefully that will be the case on Sunday."

Downing returned to Melwood earlier this week following a productive international break in which he played 45 minutes in a victory over world champions Spain for England, while he was also regarded as man of the match by many in the win against Sweden on Tuesday.

But despite being away with Chelsea quartet John Terry, Frank Lampard, Daniel Sturridge and Ashley Cole, the 27-year-old insists there was little time to talk about today's visit of the Reds.

"Nobody mentioned the game until after Sweden and it was just a case of , 'See you Sunday' and a little smile," said Downing. "They know they've got a tough game against us and visa versa.

"We had two big games for England in Spain and Sweden, which was a test for us all as it was a chance to impress the manager. We never really had a chance to speak about the game, but now we're back we're all focused for Sunday."

Downing could come into direct opposition to Cole should Dalglish opt to deploy the winger on the right at any stage of today's Stamford Bridge showdown.

In the opposite full-back area, Villas-Boas has Branislav Ivanovic and Jose Bosingwa vying for selection - but Liverpool's No.19 doesn't mind who he'll be marked by.

"I look forward to facing any right-back to test myself and play against the best players in the league," Downing said.

"If I play left against either Bosingwa or Ivanovic I'll look forward to it. I've played against them in the past, so I know what to expect. It doesn't really matter who you come up against, it's just about the team performing and winning games.

"Ashley Cole would be another good test - he would test me going both ways because he's an attacking full-back. But if they leave gaps behind them, we can expose them.

"I'm looking forward to whoever I play against, and I'm sure the rest of the lads are. We have a good squad here to go there and get a result."