Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was delighted with goal scorer Stewart Downing for their FA Cup win over Stoke City.

Downing cut in from the right to drill home only his second goal since signing from Aston Villa for £20m in July.

"It's his first year with us and that is sometimes a difficult one to get yourself through," said Dalglish

"But he was man of the match in the Carling Cup final and he has got us in the FA Cup semi-finals with that goal.

"He's a really good player with a good turn of pace and a really good left foot as you saw."