Stewart Downing is determined to prove to Brendan Rodgers that he deserves to stay at Liverpool after being hurt by his comments that he needed to show more “hunger and desire”.
The Liverpool manager warned the £20million winger last week that he could be sold in January unless he improved.
Downing (above) has not started a Premier League match since the opening day defeat to West Brom but should face Udinese in the Europa League tie at Anfield tonight.
The England international said: “I was disappointed by what was said but if that’s the way the manager sees it I have to take it. That’s fine. I’ll fight, I’ll fight every day.
“I haven’t even considered the idea of leaving. I’ve got three years left on my contract and I intend to see that through. In fact I want to stay even longer than that.
“I love playing for Liverpool and it’s a great club with great fans. I don’t want to play for anyone else.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Agger is on the verge of signing a new long‑term contract with the club.
The defender, a summer target for Manchester City, is under contract until 2014 but talks over an extension are said to be nearly completed.
