West Ham United winger Stewart Downing has admitted that he was baffled by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers's decision to sell him to the Hammers.

The 29-year-old said that the transfer took him by surprise because the Reds boss has recently told him he had a future at Anfield.

"I spoke to the manager and he said he wanted me to stay. So I'm disappointed that one minute I was staying and the next minute I'm gone," The Mirror quotes Downing as saying.

"It was a surprise because it happened so quick. One minute I was in the starting XI for Liverpool, and the next I was on my way to London.

"I was playing in the team and playing regularly and that's why I was surprised to be told that a fee had been accepted. It is normally when you are not playing, or you are not in the squad is why you leave."

Downing also questioned Rodgers's claims that he left Liverpool for Upton Park because West Ham had offered him an "incredible" deal.

"Maybe for the club it was an ­unbelievable offer, I don't know," he added.

Downing has signed a four-year contract at Upton Park.