Downing: I'm hitting form now

Speaking in the media last weekend, Dalglish declared that his summer signing was "even better than I thought he was going to be."

Opta stats show Downing has created 41 chances in 21 league appearances this term but, despite the gaffer's words of encouragement, he admits his performances haven't been quite as consistent following an impressive start to life at Anfield.

But the England winger feels his best form is returning.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It was very nice to hear. The manager has been really good to me from the first day I came. He's given me lots of confidence - and it's the same with every other player.

"He's great to play for. That's all you want as a player - a manager who is honest with you, who gives you the confidence to go out and play.

"I started quite brightly, then was in and out, and now I'm starting to pick up form again.

"I want to play all the time but the only way I can do that is to play well. I've got to get my head down and work hard, and the last couple of weeks I'm pleased with how it's gone personally."

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Liverpool players are subjected to greater media scrutiny than most, but Downing has no problems with that.

"The media do build things up a lot more than we do here (at Melwood), but that's the way football is," he said. "I just get my head down - whatever is said is said, there's nothing you can do about it.

"You've just got to try to play well. As long as the manager is happy with me, and the club and the players, then that's fine by me."

Downing had a superb game as the Reds overcame Manchester City on Wednesday to reach the Carling Cup final.

The Anfield crowd was at its raucous best under the floodlights - and Downing loved every minute.

"Nights like that were in my mind when I decided to join Liverpool," he said. "The traditions of the club and atmospheres like that - that's why I came to Liverpool, to experience nights like that.

"I have watched (Anfield) games on TV in the past, especially European nights when you can hear the crowd even when you're sitting at home.

"The players were saying before - if you put the effort in, the crowd will carry you through. In the last 10 or 15 minutes when it was pretty tough for us, they got right behind us and spurred us on.

"Every player will tell you, if the fans are with you, it gives you that extra push to go on. A lot of the lads were probably running on adrenaline in the last 10 minutes last night, because it was a tough game, but if they're behind you, you want to give something back."

The 27-year-old admits adrenaline deprived him of sleep after the tie was secured, but despite having only two full days to recuperate, he doesn't believe tiredness will be an issue when Manchester United visit Anfield in the FA Cup on Saturday lunchtime.  

He said: "I didn't get much sleep. I didn't nod off until about three or four in the morning. Obviously the adrenaline is still high because of going through.

"We're in the final, now we've got to put that to bed a little bit for a month or so, concentrate on our league form and this big FA Cup game.

"There is definitely enough recovery time. Thursday was a light day and today will be a lightish session, but with confidence and adrenaline still running through us after a terrific result, we should be really ready for Saturday's game.

"It's the same for every other team - playing every three or four days - so we've got no excuses. We're playing at home in front of our fans and it's a massive game against Manchester United."

Downing believes starting well will be the key as Liverpool bid to emulate their 2006 antics, when knocking Alex Ferguson's men out of the FA Cup at home was the catalyst for ultimately lifting the trophy.

"You have to start well against a big team because if they get early goals it's hard to get back into the game," said the wide man. "We have to do that because top players hurt you if you're not on your guard.

"We've set a good standard against City. We played ever so well even though we drew the game. You could see defensively that everyone worked for each other and we attacked with good pace and penetration. That's the standard we've set and the idea will be the same - to attack.

"As a team we should go out and be really confident playing against United that we can beat them. We proved that earlier in the season, we should have beaten them."

Liverpool versus Manchester United is one of the most viewed football matches on the planet - not that it fazes Downing.

"I have never really thought about that," he said. "You've got to concentrate on the job at hand, and on the fans in the ground. You want to do well for them.

"I am quite relaxed before kick-off. You have been preparing all week, you know what you have to do and what your jobs are - I just concentrate on that really.

"There are a few vocal lads in there - Bellers, Pepe and Stevie as captain. The manager will have his say before the game on how he wants us to play. There are different characters in the dressing room - some people are quiet and some people are vocal. It's whatever gets you going."

Having played against Manchester United for Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, Downing had his first experience of a north-west derby earlier this season when we drew 1-1 at Anfield.

The No.19 claims the game was unlike his other experiences of facing the Red Devils.

"It was different," he said. "Obviously there's the atmosphere and stuff like that. But also, with respect to the other teams, we (Liverpool) probably attacked them more, which is the way I like to play.

"The best way to defend is to attack and we've proved that in the last couple of games we've played against them."