3* for Other/Neither/Mata

I'd prefer Mata over the two, but between Downing and N'Zogbia I'd take Downing since Zog always seems to start making noises about moving back to france.

I fully believe we'll get Downing sooner or later. Purely based on the fact that he wants to come to Liverpool. Just a little worried we may pay over the odds again because of Arsenal's interest. But I was thinking is Arsenal's interest just there to push Liverpool into making a deal for it to leave the door open for them to chase Mata? Just a thought. But I'd be happy with Downing. Playing in a better team with better players around him will certainly improve his game also as well has him contributing natural width to the team.

I think Downing will be a nice addition to the squad.

Kenny and Commoli don't want N'Zogbia.

Kenny and Commoli do want Downing.

Debate over.

If Downing signs, which is looking likely, he will prove a better team player than many of you believe.

It's not about fancy individuals, it's about improving the team.

Downing every time for what Liverpool need. Shall repeat a post I just put out on an older article.

If you want someone who just dribbles with the ball but has a worse delivery into the box into 'danger areas' that lead to assists then go for N'Zogbia.

Don't get me wrong N'Zogbia is a good player, but with the likes of Carroll in the box Downing would easily be more suited to our style of play. He is also versatile and can play on either side. Downing creates far more crosses, and chances from his crosses, which is exactly what we are looking for in a wide man, otherwise we wouldn't have bought Carroll.
At Villa they may not have been converted as well (before Bent) but at Liverpool with Carroll, Suarez and Kuyt we have much better finishers.

We are not looking for a winger to score loads of goals (although that is a bonus), we are looking for one with a great delivery, and Downing wins that everytime. Also the pass completion stat is a bit mis-leading as it doesn't state what type of pass it was, whether it was Lucas style pass a few yards, or Adam style pass to the otherside of the pitch, but based on Downings total number of crosses in comparison to N'Zogbia it suggests that Downing is willing attempt more long range passes, which is much harder to pull off of course, yet his pass completion rate is still pretty similar.

You could question Downings pace to get round a player, but he is deceptively quick like Gerrard and Kaka, as he is taller, where as the likes of N'Zogbia or Lennon look incredibly quick as they are moving their legs much quicker to make up the same distance. Downing is no slouch, believe me.

Judging from the comment on this article, there doesn't seem much of a debate. For the record I agree with the people. Downing has better passing and crossing rate, is a better team player and would be a great signing for us.

What we lacked last year was not the capacity to cross but the the ability to beat players from wide positions, particularly with pace. It's a fact N'Zogbia excelled in the area within which we lacked. Anyone who seen him play against us will back this up. This opinion can be further qualified by his topping the opta stats for dribbling.

There seems to be a lot of twisting of the facts to fit a theory in some of posts above. For example

"but based on Downings total number of crosses in comparison to N'Zogbia it suggests that Downing is willing attempt more long range passes"

This suggests no such thing. It suggests that he cannot beat a player from wide positions & thus smashes a ball from out wide into the box. No top team plays like this.

Suarez has demonstrated what we have missed & in wide areas & what a clever tricky player can achieve from cutting out wide. If we want a player purely to ping in crosses to Carroll (throwback 1990s type play) then push Gerrard onto the wing as he is one of the finest crosses of the ball in the world.

Incidentally, I read an article from Dalglish - pre Liverpool return - who stated Carrolls best play came from Barton who hit a long diagonal ball from deep (Gerrard & Adam like) which kind of negates the assumption that we need a throwback smashing crosses in from the wing to get the best out of him.

I just hope that the decision to pursue Downing over N'Zogbia is not in relation to his falling out with Carroll as Carroll cannot even keep his hands of his Mrs, his brother-in-law, his team-mates, random people in a bar etc etc!!

Nzogbia has basically been for sale since the end of the season.

Wigan have received no bids for him.

Why is that if he is so good?

A. He isn't. He is a big time Charlie who is occasionally capable of brilliance, but will give you 4 5/10 performances for every 1 9/10.

Downing is 7/10 every game and is a far better player. Hence the reason that two of the top 6 want him for nearly twice the price that nobody wants N'Zogbia for.

It's not rocket science.

righteous1

Exactly.

Downing was second only to Malouda in the opta stats last season, he is a great team player, provides genuine width, has one of the best crosses in the game, and with premier experience would slide into the team very nicely.

We need wingers with geniune width who can do something with the ball that leads to chances, not step over headless chickens who just dribble to the byline all the time and fail with most of their crosses (albeit NZogbia is the better headless chicken from Lennon and Walcott). Also Downing has pace to beat players when needed, but doesn't solely rely on it. If Henderson or Gerrard were played on the right then Downing would compliment it nicely on the left.
RealBrit you are wrong on this one in most people's opinions.

Incidentally, I read an article from Dalglish - pre Liverpool return - who stated Carrolls best play came from Barton who hit a long diagonal ball from deep (Gerrard & Adam like) which kind of negates the assumption that we need a throwback smashing crosses in from the wing to get the best out of him.
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We'd be a bit predictable if we were just going to try and come from deep and through the middle all the time. Downing would provide more options from wide areas to keep the opposition guessing, and I think that is Dalglishs plan.

Nzogbia has basically been for sale since the end of the season.

Wigan have received no bids for him.

Why is that if he is so good?

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Twisting facts again to fit a theory I see. Man U have Valencia, Nani etc Arsenal have Arshavin, Walcott, Nasri even Spurs have Bale, Lennon etc. This list goes on.

Why would they require supplementing these players with another quick, pacey midfielder?

We don't have players of this ilk & calibre besides Saurez. We are signing all brawn & no skill.

The left side is a problem for England & still Downing doesn't play. He is nearly 27 & no top teams have been in for him before.

Come on it's not rpcket science genius.

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RealBrit you are wrong on this one in most people's opinions.

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No mate - you mean in you & your little rocket scientist mate's opinion. Don't think you have the right to speak for most people on the basis of a couple of heads on an internet forum - it makes you sound nearly as arrogant as the rocket scientist. (the poll above by the way even to cite your assertion suggests that neither Downing nor N'Zogbia are wanted)

Quoting anecdotal evidence, the people I go the game with do not want Downing. Infact other than on here I haven't heard a single LFC fan in Liverpool state they like him.

We have enough work horses in my opinion. But hey if you disagree you disagree; but please no more arrogance lads.!!