Stewart Downing admits Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will have the final say on his future, but by choice the England international wants to stay at Anfield. Rodgers told him in November he could find another club when the January transfer window opened, but injuries provided an opening in the team and the 28-year-old seized his chance.

"That's football for you," said Downing.

"Me and the manager have always had open conversations and I found it difficult at the start of the season because I didn't play, it wasn't that I wasn't playing well.

"Once I got in the team and had a run of games my form picked up and I think the team got better and better and we've had some good results, especially after Christmas.

"There have been some positive signs and personally I'd like to stay but that is the manager's decision."

Downing believes that upturn in performances since the new year points to a sense of optimism for Rodgers' second campaign in charge.

"I think overall it has been a decent enough season," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"There has been a lot of change, the football is certainly better the way we play.

"If we keep this team together - and I am sure the manager with strengthen - then we can have right good go (next year), that will be the big test.

"The change in manager, the change of players coming in and the change in the way we play we were not going to win everything this season.

"Last season we got the (league cup) trophy but we didn't finish high in the league because we didn't play well enough.

"But next season is obviously the big test for us."