Liverpool winger Stewart Downing hopes to start against Europa League opponents Young Boys of Berne tonight.

Downing is keen to seize the opportunity to play his way into the starting XI by turning in a quality performance against the Swiss outfit.

"You want to play every game," he told liverpoolfc.com. "We've not got off to a great start [in the league] but we've had some tough fixtures and if there are places up for grabs, now is our chance to stake a claim and it will be another tough test for us.

"I just want to do well every game and hopefully start tonight and be in contention for the weekend."