Stewart Downing admits he was reminded this week why he joined Liverpool.

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 told liverpoolfc.tv. "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."