‘Stewart Downing will be a great signing for Liverpool’ – Dirk Kuyt lauds incoming Aston Villa winger

Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool

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Liverpool‘s Dirk Kuyt believes Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing would be a great signing.

The two clubs have agreed a fee, thought to be in the region of £20 million, for the England international.

Were he to join the club, he would follow fellow British players Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam in moving to Anfield this summer, and would give boss Kenny Dalglish further midfield options.

One player who could potentially suffer from Downing’s arrival is Kuyt, who has been deployed mostly on the right wing during his time at Anfield.

However, the former Feyenoord player is happy to see another quality player move to the club.

“If he is coming and everything is okay with the medical then he will be a great signing for Liverpool,” he told reporters.

“He did very well for Aston Villa last season and I believe he was their best player. I already knew of him when he was playing for Middlesbrough.

“He’s a very good winger and a player in the team who could be very helpful for us.”

While Downing’s arrival means he could play less matches next season, Kuyt seemed more positive that Liverpool could be challenging for honours again in the upcoming campaign.

He added: “When I arrived at Liverpool Football Club, almost five years ago, we had two very good players who could play in the same position.

“I’ve just got a feeling we’re getting back there.

“At a club like Liverpool, you have to have every position doubled up, and it looks like that more or less in every position we have at least two players in each position again.

“There is more rivalry, there is more competition, but that is what makes you better and gets the best out of you. I’m ready to have this competition with the players but we also have to stick together and make it one good team to challenge with the best.”