Stewart Downing set to make Liverpool debut in friendly against Hull City

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is set to hand new signing Stewart Downing his debut in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Hull City.

Downing completed his £20 million switch to Anfield last week, and joins Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Alexander Doni as the new summer additions on Merseyside.

Adam made his debut on the club’s tour of the Far East, but Downing and Doni did not sign in time to join the pre-season preparations, whilst former Sunderland midfielder Henderson also missed the trip after being given further time to rest following the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark.

Dalglish has now hinted he may hand the trio their debuts in this weekend’s friendly, but is also keen to ensure he takes no unnecessary risks with their fitness ahead of the new Premier League season.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the Scot said: “We will have a look at them and decide what’s best. There is certainly no rush for us to play anyone in these pre-season games.

“Stewart has been training for a fortnight and Jordan only started training on Monday. Everyone has trained well this week and the players are looking in good shape. Nowadays they come back looking as fit as they were before the break.

“But some have started back later than others and we have to take that into consideration. It’s a pre-season game and we will treat it as such. We need to use these games to give as much benefit to as many players as we can.”