10:30PM BST 28 Sep 2012
The England international has made just a solitary league start this season
under Rodgers after a below-par inaugural season at Anfield, but his new
manager believes he has the talent to become a big player for
Rodgers has spoken to Downing about his struggle, and insisted that Liverpool have the resources to help the winger develop and find his place in the team.
“As coaches we are not magicians,” said Rodgers. “For me football players are not different to plumbers, to joiners to bricklayers, they are self-employed and us as medics, coaches and managers we are the tools that help them to be better.
"If you haven’t got that desire and hunger to succeed then it can be very difficult for you.
“Stewart is a good guy and a good lad who came here for an awful lot of money. It hasn’t quite worked out for him as he would want it. The big challenge for him now is that commitment to the cause to fight because he has the qualities.”
Talent is not enough, especially with Rodgers’ style of play that is dependent on everyone chipping in across the pitch.
“He had a wonderful left foot, he could open that door with his left foot, but what is important is that it is more than talent,” continued the Liverpool manager.
“Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard, you have to fight for the shirt. We have seen that with a number of the young players and if you don’t do that then longer term you won’t be here.”
Liverpool may be without a league win ahead of Saturday’s game against
“There’s absolutely no doubt it’s going to be a monumental achievement for that to happen but in my working life my mentality – and I’m selling that to the players – that is what we have to work towards,” he added.
