'I'd pick Downing over anyone'

The Anfield Iron is confident the former Aston Villa man can be a huge success on Merseyside and reckons he has all the attributes to get the very best out of Andy Carroll.

Smith said: "It's something I've been going on about for a long time because we've needed wingers desperately.

"I'm delighted we've got Downing. He impressed me when I saw him last season and he was certainly Villa's best player.

"He creates and scores goals, and the fact he's forced his way into the England set-up shows how much he has improved.

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"When you look around there aren't many top wingers in the Premier League so they aren't cheap to pick up.

"But if I could have picked any of them to sign for Liverpool it would have been him.

"We paid a lot of money for Andy Carroll but we didn't get to see much of him last season due to injuries. When he did play the one thing he was missing was decent service from the flanks.

"Downing will get to the byline and put balls into the box for Carroll to attack. I'm sure Downing will help to improve Carroll's game."

During Smith's era as a Kop favourite, Liverpool secured countless titles and conquered Europe for the very first time.

He is convinced that the success of the 60s and 70s owed much to the quality of players in the wide areas and is hopeful Downing can go on to emulate some of the greats of yesteryear.

"We always played with a couple of wingers and they played a huge part in the success we enjoyed," he said.

"Everyone talked about our goal scorers but the wingers were very under-rated.

"My mate Cally is up there with the best wingers I've ever seen. He was quick and he would race down the right, get to the byline and whip in a great cross.

"Cally didn't score that many but he would drag teams apart and created so many goals. Look at the '65 FA Cup final, it was his delivery which set up Ian St John for the winner against Leeds.

"In the 60s we would have Cally on the right and Peter on the left. We could attack sides down either side.

"Peter was more of a crowd puller. He loved to take the mickey out of the full-back. He would jump over the ball and the full-back didn't know where to go.

"He was a very good player but sometimes he would try to do too much with the ball. Willie Stevenson used to scream at him for never giving a one-two!

"I remember an FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park when Peter got the ball on the halfway line, ignored Willie's shouts and whacked it from about 35 yards out into the net. Walking back he said: 'Stevo, are you happy now?'"

Smith continued: "Stevie Heighway was another great winger in the 70s.

"He had pace, ball control and caused defenders loads of problems. There was a derby at Anfield where we were 2-0 down. In the first half they blocked him out but in the second half Steve really tore into them.

"He cut inside and scored at the Kop end and we fought back to win 3-2. Stevie left Everton's players gasping for air that day.

"You need that kind of quality in wide areas and hopefully Downing can provide that for Liverpool over the coming years.

"It certainly looks like Kenny is looking to get back to how we used to play by stretching teams down the wings more."

Smith has been impressed by Liverpool's summer business in the transfer market with Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Alexander Doni all joining Downing in adding depth to the Reds' squad.

The ex-defender believes there could well be more to come too and admits he is excited for what the future may hold for his old team.

"I do think Kenny needs another genuine winger," he said. "Downing will play on the left but what about on the right? Henderson could play there or Dirk Kuyt but he's good in a central role sticking the ball in the back of the net.

"Kenny has boosted the centre of midfield and rightly so because we needed more options in there. Our defence is pretty solid and the strikers are good but the performances of the midfielders last season weren't consistent enough.

"It's been good to see Kenny buying British lads. In the past we've signed a lot of foreign players who have struggled to adapt to the Premier League.

"We've signed some decent players and I'm looking forward to the season starting and going to the games again. The club is starting to grow now. I've got a sneaky feeling I'm going to enjoy watching us play this season and I wouldn't be surprised if we won something.

"The new owners are investing in the squad and seem to appreciate the importance of the fans. With quality in wide areas Liverpool can start picking up trophies again."