'Repeat that display and we'll qualify'
Stewart Downing is confident that Liverpool can overturn a Europa League deficit when they face Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday night if they emulate their second-half performance against Swansea.
The Reds overwhelmed their Welsh visitors on Sunday afternoon, with penalties from Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge sandwiching a three-goal blitz during the opening 10 minutes after the break.
Five goals in total were the minimum that Brendan Rodgers' side deserved from a ferocious display at Anfield - and Downing says a repeat when the Russians arrive later this week would earn his team passage into the next phase.
"The second half, at times, was some of the best football we've played," the 28-year-old reflected to Liverpoolfc.com. "We put them under a lot of pressure and five goals were perfect.
"Swansea had a week off and have been away. The manager thought they were there to be punished, that's why he wanted us to up the tempo.
"Straight away, Philippe came inside and scored - it was a good time to score the goal and from then on we dominated.
"Scoring goals and putting chances away - that's what wins you games. The goals were great finishes - we have to do that week in, week out, not just now and again."
Asked whether the victory over Swansea can catapult the Reds beyond Zenit, who lead the tie 2-0 following the first leg in St Petersburg, Downing insisted such an outcome is wholly possible.
"Yes, especially after the first leg," he replied.
"We lost 2-0 but you saw the chances we had - six or seven great chances in a European game away is quite good.
"We didn't finish it off and made it hard for ourselves, but with the crowd behind us on a big European night I'm confident with the way we're playing that we'll win the game."
Sunday's encounter was punctuated by a maiden Liverpool goal for Rodgers' second January signing, Philippe Coutinho, who was named among the starting 11 for the first time since arriving from Inter Milan.
Despite playing on the opposite wing to the young Brazilian, Downing witnessed plenty of evidence to suggest the 20-year-old is capable of shining in a red jersey.
The England international continued: "He did well and had some nice touches.
"It was probably a wake-up call for him - it's a different league, it's faster, he has noticed that. He said, 'Here they close you down quicker.'
"You can see he's got quality - the more games he plays the better he'll become. You can see he's got talent."
Three points on Sunday moved the Reds up to seventh in the Barclays Premier League, though they still trail fourth-placed Tottenham by nine points.
On Friday, the manager admitted that reaching the top four would be difficult but not impossible for his charges - a sentiment Downing completely agrees with.
"Football is a funny game. If we play like that, we've got a chance. We've still got to play those teams in and around us. It will be difficult but you keep going right until the end," the winger concluded.