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Downing: My best moment yet
Stewart Downing hailed his winning goal in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final victory over Stoke City as the personal highlight of his Liverpool career so far
The winger netted the decisive strike in the Reds' 2-1 victory on 57 minutes, thumping home from just inside the area after gliding beyond two Potters defenders.
The result means Kenny Dalglish's side will return to Wembley next month for the semi-finals - and afterwards Downing admitted he was thrilled to have made the telling contribution.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I'm absolutely delighted. It was a tough game, but the main thing is we got through. Now we have another trip to Wembley.
"I think it's got to be the highlight (of my Liverpool career so far). I've enjoyed some big games, and the (Carling Cup) final was great.
"It was a tough game for us, but the way we got the goal, and for me to score at Anfield, was a great feeling and I'm glad it won us the game."
Liverpool had to work hard to secure the win after Peter Crouch's header had cancelled out a sublime opener from Luis Suarez in the first half.
Nonetheless, Downing feels the Reds were worthy victors.
He added: "It was a great goal from Luis. We've seen in training between Maxi and Luis they've got an understanding. It was a great one-two and I think he used the defender as a guide to bend the ball around the 'keeper and I think that's what beat him. It was a great finish and goal for Luis.
"I think we deserved to win. We were the only team going forward and creating. That's no disrespect to Stoke - a lot of teams come here and sit behind the ball.
"We have to be patient at times and I can understand fans getting frustrated when it's not going well, but if they bear with us we've got the players to open up defences - and we proved that in the end."
Liverpool will now face either Everton or Sunderland in the semi-final at Wembley in April, and Downing is hoping he will get an opportunity to repeat his man-of-the-match performance in the Carling Cup final at the national stadium.
"I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I'll play," he said. "No matter who we get, I fancy our chances against anybody as long as we keep playing the way we are."
Meanwhile, Downing had words of support for Fabrice Muamba as the Bolton Wanderers midfielder continues to receive treatment following his collapse during his side's meeting with Tottenham on Saturday.
He said: "Everybody's thoughts at the football club are with him. It's sad. I watched the game on Saturday and it wasn't nice what happened.
"I don't know Fabrice personally, but from what I hear he is a great lad. It's a sad time, but everyone is thinking of him and hopefully he'll make a speedy recovery.
#YNWA | 
Post time 19-3-2012 03:49 PM
