Stewart Downing admits 'surprise' at FSG decision after £20m Liverpool transfer

Stewart Downing has admitted he was surprised FSG parted company with Kenny Dalglish in 2012.

The ex-England international arrived at Anfield from Aston Villa but initially struggled to justify his price tag, scoring no goals and registering just two assists across 36 league games in his debut season.

Signed by Kenny Dalglish in the same summer as Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, Liverpool endured a mixed campaign as the team reached both domestic cup finals but finished eighth in the Premier League.

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Though Downing feels the decision to subsequently replace the club legend with Brendan Rodgers was harsh, he insists he enjoyed his two-year spell with the Reds .

"I had a great time there. It was a move I’d always wanted to do – play for a club like Liverpool. When the chance came, I jumped at it,” Downing told the Mirror .

"I was having a good time at Villa and it was a good club, but I think Liverpool is Liverpool and I wanted to make that move.”

He continued: "I was surprised when Kenny lost his job after the first season. With the money we’d spent, obviously that takes time. Jurgen Klopp took three or four years to get his team settled.

"In that one year, we’d lost a cup final, won one and finished eighth in the league. I think, overall, the league position wasn’t