"I've been impressed with Stewart Downing's all-round ability," Houghton said. "He's got a lot more to his game than I thought he had. He's linked with well with Jose Enrique and Luis Suarez.
Downing has made 12 appearances for LFC since his £20million ($32 million) move from Aston Villa last summer. He has been used primarily on the left side of a four or five-man midfield, but has also been deployed on the right for parts of some matches.
The England international's versatility and commitment have impressed observers, but he has faced recent criticism because he has yet to score (or register an assist) for Liverpool. To be fair, Downing has hit the post or crossbar a few times this season. Houghton is not alone in noting the winger's absence from the scoresheet.
"Downing's end product needs to be better though. He needs to score more goals. He's been in some fantastic positions and that final cross or shot has let him down a bit."
Houghton aslo weighed in on Liverpool's chances for a top-four finish. The Reds currently lie in sixth place in the English Premier League standings. Their inconsistent form — especially at home — has tempered some of the early-season enthusiasm that surrounded the club. The former Irish international thinks an inevitable string of positive results — mixed with patience — will quiet some of the club's doubters.
"I honestly think Liverpool aren't far away from putting a good run of results together consistently," he said. "They'll be there or thereabouts for fourth place."
"People are always too quick to say Liverpool should be doing a bit better but the games that they've drawn they could have easily won. They weren't games that they were going to lose. In most of them they dominated the match and it’s just the finishing that let them down."
Houghton ran down the right wing for Liverpool from 1987-92, winning two league championships and two FA Cups.
