Stuart Downing has been praised by manager Brendan Rodgers after scoring the winning goal in Liverpool's 1-0 win against Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday night.
It has not been plain sailing for Downing following his estimated £20 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2011, and has dipped in and out of the team starting just one Premier League game under Rodgers.
Rodgers admitted Downing had been having a "rough ride" but seems to be impressed by the 28-year-olds latest performance.
"It's been a tough time but he's a good guy," explained Rodgers. "He's had a rough ride but he's an important member of our team."
After the victory, Rodgers guided Downing towards the Liverpool faithful to soak up the applause.
"He got a good reception from the Kop," Rodgers said. "He scored a brilliant goal. Stewart is a wonderful technician off either foot. I think the Kop realized that it was a wonderful goal at the end and if you can get a round of applause from them, which would mean a lot to anyone - a player, manager, coach, whatever.
You saw how they reacted accordingly. They gave him a great round of applause and that will hopefully do him good going forward. His commitment was excellent. He had to play in a different position in the second half, but he has got the quality to do that."
Downing seems happy to fight for his place in the team and said, "It was crowded around the box so I just thought hit it. They made it tough for us, so it was off the cuff."
"Football is full of ups and downs," he added. "It's how you react to them and I'm working hard to get back into the team."
His good form is coming at the right time for Liverpool with a visit to Everton on Sunday posing a stern test.
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