Liverpool midfielder Stewart Downing enjoyed their thumping win over FA Cup opponents Brighton.

Downing hopes this will mean there is no repeat of what happened in 2004 when he was an unused substitute as Middlesbrough played out the League Cup final against Bolton.

"It was a great game to play in, especially the second half, and it was nice to get a few goals in front of the Kop," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"The first half was a little bit tricky when they got the equaliser and made it hard for us, but the manager told us at half-time to keep doing what we were doing and the goals would come.

"I thought our second-half performance was really good.

"I really enjoyed it out there. Me and Jose could see we were getting a fair bit of space and the manager told us to try and exploit that space, and I thought on both sides we did well. That's where most of the goals came from.

"Competition for places is tough here. I'm sure it's great for the manager and it gives him a headache. We have got options all over the park, everyone wants to play in the starting XI, and it's good for the club."