Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is pleased by the good press Stewart Downing has received this week.

Downing bagged his first Premier League goal for the Reds - some 17 months after his £20million move from Villa.

"I was pleased for Stewart and it was no surprise to me as I've seen him perform like that many times throughout his career," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.

"He's had a tough time but credit to him because he hasn't felt sorry for himself. He has rolled his sleeves up to try to prove people wrong.

"It wasn't just Saturday, in the past few games, whether he's been at left-back or further forward, he has done well. He has created chances for the team and has been posing a threat. We all need to carry on where we left off against Fulham."