STEWART DOWNING is a man on a mission – three years after fearing his chance of playing for Liverpool had gone for good. In the summer of 2008 the winger was heavily linked with a move to Anfield but in the end Rafa Benitez opted to sign Albert Riera from Espanyol for £8million instead.

Downing remained at Middlesbrough and suffered relegation with his home town club before making a £12million switch to Aston Villa a year later.

Two seasons in the Midlands saw his stock rise considerably and when Liverpool returned with a firm offer last month Downing belatedly joined the Reds.

“There was a bit of interest a few years back but they decided to take other options in the end with Riera and those type of people,” Downing said.

“That’s fair enough – that was the manager’s choice. I was obviously disappointed at the time because Liverpool is a tremendous football club and someone you would always want to play for.

“I’m just so glad this opportunity came back around. As soon as I heard there was interest I wanted to come here, especially with Kenny Dalglish being manager.”

Downing spoke with England team-mate Steven Gerrard before the deal was completed but his mind was already made up.

“Nobody needed to sell the club to me,” he said.

“It’s Liverpool Football Club – there’s a great pull.

“Steven said there had been troubles in the past with the old owners but now you can see investment coming into the team. He told me about the place and what Kenny is like to work with.

“I’ve found out for myself in the last few weeks that he’s brilliant to work with. Training has been really good.

“He wants players to respect this football club and do well for it. He has invested heavily to bring me here and I want to do well for him.

“There’s a great squad here and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Downing, who is set to line up against Valencia today, arrived at Anfield on the back of the best season of his professional career.

He was Villa’s standout performer as he plundered eight goals and contributed nine assists.

“When I went to Aston Villa I missed a big chunk of the first season due to injury,” he said.

“People didn’t see a lot of me so I knew last season was a big one for me. I needed to hit the ground running and play consistently well.

“It was difficult at times with the situation we were in but I just tried to get my head down and get on with it. It went quite well for me personally.”

At the end of last season Downing claimed his career was at a “crossroads” and revealed his ambition of playing Champions League football.

That’s something Liverpool aren’t able to offer this season but he’s confident he will grace Europe’s top club competition in a Reds shirt.

“I was asked if I thought I could play in the Champions League and I said if the opportunity came I would like to,” he said.

“I think I can make that step up and achieve that with Liverpool.

“There’s a buzz back around the place. The manager has invested in the team and the owners are backing him all the way.

“There’s a good mix of foreign lads and British players and a great atmosphere around the place.

“The people I’ve met around the city have been great. Everywhere you go fans want to know what’s happening. I’m still living in a hotel at the moment but I feel settled already.

“I really feel this club is on the way up. I’m really happy and want to have success here.”

The 27-year-old has been bought to provide the kind of quality from wide areas which the Reds have sorely lacked in recent years.

Downing is relishing the prospect of linking up with strike duo Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

“Kenny has not really spoken to me about what position I’m going to play,” he said.

“But I can play on the left or the right and I can fit in whether we go wide or play narrow.

“Liverpool haven’t had that many wingers recently but the club was renowned for their wingers back in the day and hopefully I can do well here and provide.

“I know Andy quite well having played a few games with him for England and in pre-season here.

“We know his strengths and if we can get the ball in the box then nine times out of 10 he will get on the end of it. He’s a big target.

“I’ve not played with Luis but I watched him in the Copa America and he’s a top player.

“Those two suit each other and we’ve also got Dirk Kuyt who can play up top.

“I think if we all work at it we can strike up good partnerships.”

Liverpool may have paid out £20million to secure his service but Downing doesn’t expect the transfer fee to guarantee him a starting spot.

Dalglish has a glut of midfield options and the new boy says that will spur everyone on.

“You do wonder what team Kenny is going to select when the league starts because there are a lot of good players here,” he said. “It’s difficult to pick a starting XI.

“My first challenge is to get in the side. The money that was paid for me won’t mean anything to Kenny.

“He will just see a player he wants in that position and I don’t think he will be bothered about the price. His job is to get the best out of his players and if you don’t perform you won’t be in the team – it’s as simple as that.

“I’m certainly not relying on my price tag to get me into the team. I haven’t even thought about the fee.

“I’m just excited to come here and play and I just want to carry on my form from Villa."