Kenny delighted with Downing
Kenny Dalglish has praised the 'huge contribution' of Stewart Downing to the Liverpool team and believes his first goal for the club isn't too far away.
The England international has hit the post three times himself and created numerous chances with some great crosses from wide areas.
As he prepares to return to his old club Aston Villa on Sunday with the Reds the Liverpool manager insists he is delighted with Downing's current form.
"Stewart has made plenty of chances for us," said Dalglish.
"And he has had a few opportunities himself, which he has been unfortunate with.
"But if we had taken a greater percentage of our chances, or if luck had been more kind to us, than everybody's stats would be better. Our points tally would be better, our goals-for would be better, and individual stats would be better.
"Stewart has made a huge contribution to the fact we have hit the post 16 times and created so many chances and shots at goal. When they start going in everyone's stats will improve.
"I think all of the lads that have come in in their first season have settled in really well. There's not many people who have come in and settled as quickly as a lot of them have done here. We're delighted."
With 11 games scheduled to played before the end of January, Dalglish insists his squad has the strength in depth to cope and has called on his players waiting in the wings to be ready to step up to the challenge when called upon.
He added: "Everybody has got to be prepared and ready to play. They will all expect to play some part in some of the games. There's no rules for anybody, there is one rule for everybody.
"Every game is going to be different because a lot of the games are in close proximity to one another. I can't predict what's going to happen in the eighth or ninth game, we'll deal with Villa and take it from there.
"Everyone keeps throwing up exams for people but I think (the squad) has stood the test of time.
"They've done brilliantly. They've got to the semi-final of the Carling Cup - what else can you ask for? They've done as much as they possibly could with the opportunities they have had.
"We have said many times we are happy with what they have done on and off the pitch and that doesn't change.
"The results in the Carling Cup stand that statement in good stead, I think."