Reds on alert after Downing stalls on talks

Liverpool have been placed on alert after Stewart Downing stalled on contract talks with Aston Villa.

The 26-year-old admits his career is at a "crossroads" and despite reports suggesting Villa are ready to make him the highest paid player at the club, Downing is contemplating a move away.

With two years left on his deal with the West Midlands outfit, Villa are keen to hang on to their player of the season but the former Middlesbrough star admits last year's long-term lay-off with a broken foot brought his ambition into focus.

Aware a footballer's career can be cut down by such injuries, Downing wants to put himself in a position to be challenging for honours as well as playing in the Champions League.

Liverpool have long been rumoured as potential suitors for Downing - as well as team-mate Ashley Young - and delaying a decision on his future will up the interest at Anfield.

"I know the club are keen for me to extend my contract as I only have two years left on my deal and that my agent had a recent meeting with our chief executive (Paul Faulkner)," said Downing.

"However, I am 26 and at a major crossroads in my career so I won't be committing to a new deal at the moment."

"I want to keep playing and enjoying my football.

"When I was injured that made me realise what it can be like to be out for such a long time. It hurt. The most important thing is to play football, but I do want to play in the Champions League at some point.

"The most important thing for me, though, is to stay fit and then the rewards will come with that, hopefully. I have got back into the England squad, I have to make sure I stay there.

"It was horrible to miss the World Cup last year, but I was not the only one.

Looking back it was probably because I was injured for much of that season that I never made it."

Liverpool are facing competition from Tottenham in the bid to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Friedel has emerged as a target for Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who is looking for a new goalkeeper after the up and down form of Heurelho Gomes last season.

It is a difficult decision for the 39-year-old Friedel, who is now out of contract at Villa although they are also keen to retain his services.

Friedel is likely to be offered only a one-year deal by Redknapp, who will seek a long term replacement for Gomes, but there is the lure of being first choice.

He is keen to add to his all-time record of 275 successive appearances in the Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool are offering a two-year contract - and a coaching role - but Friedel, who lives in Cheshire, will only be number two to Pepe Reina.

West Brom are also interested but they are well down the pecking order with Friedel.

Source: Daily Post

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