John Aldridge: Stewart Downing "needs to show some bottle"

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes that Stewart Downing should "do his talking on the pitch".

The winger was recently critical of manager Brendan Rodgers, who had openly questioned the England international's commitment.

However, Aldridge feels that Downing should have gone about voicing his displeasure in another way.

"I didn't like the fact Stewart Downing came out in the papers saying he had been upset by the manager's comments about him needing to show more hunger and desire," he told the Liverpool Echo. "The winger should have taken the criticism on the chin because it was justified.

"If Downing wants to stay at Liverpool beyond January, the gloves are off now. He needs to knuckle down and do his talking on the pitch. He has to fight to win the manager and the fans over.

"He has the quality but how much does he really want it? He needs to show some bottle."

Downing joined the Reds in the summer of 2011 from Aston Villa.