Downing to force Liverpool move

Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing is expected to hand in a transfer request in a bid to engineer a move to Liverpool, according to The Daily Mirror.

The England international has been heavily linked to the Anfield club, who will only get their man if they meet Villa's £20million price-tag.
However, Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is unwilling to meet Villa's demands as he believes the asking price is on the exhorbitant side.
The Scot is now reportedly looking elsewhere for reinforcements in the form of Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia and Dimitri Payet of St Etienne.
However, Downing has already set his heart on a move to Anfield in what would be his biggest career move, and will now take matters into his own hands by handing in a transfer request to new Villa manager Alex McLeish.
The Daily Mirror claims that McLeish, who recently completed his controversial move from rivals Birmingham City, is keen in keeping the 26-year-old at Villa Park after losing Ashley Young to Manchester United last week.
However, he would not want to keep an unhappy player within his squad and could accept Downing's transfer request if submitted.
The cash generated from the sale could then be used to strengthen and build his squad ahead of the new season.
Downing, who has two years left on his contract at Villa Park, has played over 70 games for Villa, scoring 11 goals.