Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has claimed that being in and out of the team has been the cause for his indifferent form this season.

The England international, who signed for an estimated £20m from Aston Villa over the summer, has yet to score a league goal for the Anfield club.

"The media do build things up a lot more than we do here, but that's the way football is," the 27-year-old told the club's official website.

"I just get my head down - whatever is said is said, there's nothing you can do about it.

"I started quite brightly, then was in and out, and now I'm starting to pick up form again. I want to play all the time but the only way I can do that is to play well."

The Reds host Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.