Liverpool vs West Ham United preview - Downing return could haunt Rodgers - 7M sport

Liverpool vs West Ham United preview - Downing return could haunt Rodgers



Posted Saturday, January 31, 2015 by PA

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers knows his decision to sell Stewart Downing could come back to haunt him again when he comes up against the West Ham star on Saturday.

Few questioned Rodgers' decision to sell Downing to West Ham last season, as despite arriving at Anfield with a B£20million price tag on his shirt, Downing struggled to hold down a first-team place with the Reds and often ended up filling in at left-back.

Eighteen months on, Downing has become one of the most effective midfielders in the Premier League.

"Stewart was one I did not want to let go," the Liverpool boss said.

"It was a difficult start for him, but when we worked together at the beginning in the second part of the season he was one of the regular players so he wasn't someone who I wanted to move on.

"He and has done very well at West Ham.

"He is a really gifted player technically, he has a wonderful technique, he plays games and trains every day and is a good guy so it's not surprised me how well he has done."

Downing is not the only West Ham player who will be hoping to prove Rodgers wrong on Saturday.

Andy Carroll joined Liverpool from Newcastle for B£35million four years ago, but returned just two goals in his first season at the club.

Like Downing, he has found a new lease of life since Rodgers sold him to West Ham, although his time at Upton Park has been hindered somewhat by injury.

Although Rodgers has no regrets about letting Carroll go, he has been impressed by the 26-year-old's form since he returned from a four-month foot injury layoff.

"Andy is fantastic football player," said Rodger.

"He has quality and ability around the box.

"I just felt in terms of how I play and maybe how the team operates that he might not have been a regular player because of the movement and the speed at which we try to work.

"But that doesn't mean he is a bad player. He is an outstanding player and when he is fit he has shown that at West Ham."

Rodgers' only injury doubt for Saturday's game is defender Mamadou Sakho, who is struggling with a back problem he suffered in the 1-0 extra-time defeat at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Sam Allardyce is hoping a number of his West Ham players can recover from minor knocks.

The Hammers are looking for a Premier League double over Brendan Rodgers' side but could be without a host of first-team regulars, with Carl Jenkinson, James Tomkins and Alex Song all struggling.

Joey O'Brien (hamstring) and James Collins (groin) could add to Allardyce's defensive woes but Senegal's exit from the African Nations Cup may see Cheikhou Kouyate return in midfield.

Allardyce played down reports linking strikers Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia with a move to London rivals Chelsea and insists he will not be looking to bring in any other forwards during the January transfer window.

"By email, text or phone? How have they sounded us out?," the 60-year-old replied when asked about reported contact from Chelsea.

"The only way it has been sounded out is through the media, certainly not through club to club."

"With us having Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Carlton Cole and Enner Valencia we have more than enough front men to cope with the demand for the rest of the season. In the summer we'll reassess our aims and the squad but for now we're fine with the four options we've got."



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