Reds spirit is key - Downing

The Reds recruited seven new signings over the summer, all of whom have helped the Anfield club collect 13 points from their opening seven matches in the Premier League. And England winger Downing, who moved to Merseyside from Aston Villa in July, is pleased with the manner in which the squad has knitted together. He told LFC Magazine: "It's a big part of football. If teammates aren't getting on, then you don't tend to do well. "If you all do get on, then that can only help you when you step on the field. The boss is into it big and the players have been out for a few meals together. "We're still a relatively new group. Some of the lads like Stevie and Carra have been here since day one. A few others like Pepe and Dirk have been here a couple of years, then there's quite a few of us who have only arrived recently. There's a good mix."