Transfer Speculation: Stewart Downing to Liverpool

Liverpool's drive to create a title challenging squad will be one the most watched aspects of this summer.  Rafa Benitez will be entering his fifth season in charge and the only areas that obviously need enhancing are at full-back and on the flanks.  Benitez likes Dirk Kuyt's energy and his potential goalscoring and so may not make the long mooted move for a replacement like David Bentley - well not until he has offloaded some of the many fringe players.  But with Harry Kewell on his way some competition for the impressive Ryan Babel on the left side of the attack is probably reasonable.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Liverpool will bid £12m for Stewart Downing, who is probably one of the best left wing crossers in Europe, scores around 10 goals a season and is often in England squads.  With these credentials surely Downing should be worth more?

Interestingly there has usually been a bidder for Downing most summers, Tottenham are the most commonly linked, but there is rarely much evidence of firm bids.  There is little doubt that the jinking, Downing would offer something different on the left hand side of attack - but do Liverpool have the players to benefit from the three or four beautiful crosses that he would curl into the box in a game?  When David Beckham was in his pomp he would also send lovely crosses in - but in those days Man United flooded the box with players.  In these more cautious times is an old-fashioned winger useful?

Downing would probably strengthen the side more than the well reported move for Gareth Barry (who would have to compete with Gerrard, Alonso, Lucas and Mascherano for a central midfield slot).  And would point to a more attacking intent.  Middlesbrough are in transition under Gareth Southgate and with so many excellent players coming through the youth team Southgate may feel that at £12m he can take a chance - in much the same way that Woodgate was allowed to move to Tottenham to allow Wheater to come through - on a sale.  Downing would not be the banner signing that many Liverpool fans crave, but he would certainly offer something different and improve the squad.