Liverpool hero Ray Houghton has hailed the early impact of Stewart Downing.

The former Aston Villa winger moved to Merseyside during the summer and Houghton has been pleased with what the England man has contributed so far.

Houghton told talkSPORT: "I've been impressed with Stewart Downing's all-round ability. He's linked with well with Jose Enrique and Luis Suarez. It's a work in progress."

He added: "I think Liverpool aren't far away from putting a good run of results together consistently.

"They'll be there or thereabouts for fourth place.

"People are always too quick to say Liverpool should be doing a bit better but the games that they've drawn they could have easily won.

"They weren't games that they were going to lose. In most of them they dominated the match and it's just the finishing that let them down.

"That will improve though as the season goes on. Fourth place is up for grabs and third position even, the way Chelsea are playing at the moment."