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Stewart Downing irked by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers over left-back spot

West Ham United's Stewart Downing admits that being asked to play left-back for Liverpool represented rock bottom for him.

West Ham United winger Stewart Downing has admitted that playing at left-back for Liverpool ranks as the lowest point of his career.

The 30-year-old operated in a defensive position occasionally during what proved to be his last season at Anfield before joining the Hammers in 2013.

Downing has since rebuilt his career in East London and was recently handed a first England call-up since 2012 after his impressive early-season form for West Ham.

When asked if playing left-back under Brendan Rodgers represented rock bottom, he told The Mirror: "I think so, yes. I was out of the team so for me just to play and get back in the team was a big thing.

"At left-back it was obviously difficult, but it was a chance to get back into the team for me, so I had to go along with it.

"I wasn't happy playing left-back. It is not my natural position. But I knew from then it was the time for me to move."

Downing, who joined the Reds for a reported £20m from Aston Villa, has scored twice and bagged four assists for Sam Allardyce's side this season.

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Enner Valencia of West Ham United celebrates with team mate Stewart Downing of West Ham United as he scores their first goal during Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and West Ham United at KC Stadium on September 15, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa6411129313
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs6312125710
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
10Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
11Bournemouth622289-18
12Brentford6213810-27
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd621358-37
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Ipswich TownIpswich6042510-54
16Everton6114715-84
17Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
18Crystal Palace603359-43
19Southampton6015312-91
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


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