Stewart Downing has claimed that Liverpool's new players are not the only ones to blame for a poor season in the Premier League.

Kenny Dalgish's team have struggled for consistency in the league this campaign but Downing believes that the whole squad are responsible for the poor form.

The England winger said: "I've heard the criticism about the new signings, but it's someone's opinion. Others might take it hard, but it doesn't bother me.

"There are more than four or five players in a squad and we have all not done it, not just the new ones. It's as a team.

"Sometimes the new ones haven't played and we have lost games - it's just a building process, it takes time, it's not overnight. To win the Carling Cup in the first season and potentially the FA Cup as well would be a great start."

Liverpool face Chelsea in Saturday's FA Cup final.