Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has blasted his manager regarding comments that questioned his bravery. Brendan Rodgers told the press earlier this week that Downing wasn’t brave enough but the England winger disagrees.

Downing still has three years left on his deal at Anfield but has lost his place in the team since Rodgers took over in the summer, with younger players jumping ahead of him in the pecking order, but he is willing to fight for his place.

“Bravery is a lot of things – it’s not just about tackling,” Downing told the Daily Mirror.

“That’s not my game. My bravery is about taking the ball when you are losing a game and trying to create things. That’s what I try to do. You will have to ask the manager exactly what he meant.

“I was surprised that he came out with what he did. I have spoken to him on numerous occasions when I wasn’t in the team and that was private.

“So, of course, I’m upset. But I’m not going to go running around tackling people because that’s not my game. I’ve got three years left on my contract and I’m going nowhere.

“I have worked hard to get here and I am not going to leave in a rush. I will fight for my place and I want to stay at Anfield.”