Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes the applause received by match-winner Stewart Downing at Anfield after their Europa League game, will go a long way in building the England wingers confidence.

Downing bent in a nice right-footed strike for the Reds in a 1-0 win over Anzhi Makhachkala, with the Kop giving the much-maligned midfielder a warm round of applause for his efforts.

The 28-year-old was roundly criticized by the supporters last year, after he failed to garner a single assist or goal the entire season. However this season, whenever given a chance, Downing has shown glimpses of the form he consistently showed while with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, leading to suggestions there might be a turnaround of fortunes for the left-footed winger.

Rodgers is convinced if Downing continues to produce the goods like he did Thursday, the crowd will continue to warm-up to him. "It was a wonderful strike by Stewart and he scored a great goal," Rodgers told reporters. "It's been difficult for him since he's been here.

"I think (telling him to approach the Kop) was just something to help his confidence. I think the Kop recognised it was a wonderful bend on the strike and if he can get a round of applause from them, then that would mean a lot to anyone -- to a player, manager or a coach.

"And you saw how they reacted accordingly -- they gave him a great round of applause and that will hopefully do him well going forward. His commitment tonight was excellent. He had to play in a different position in the second half but he's got the qualities to do that. It was a good night for us."

Liverpool produced a solid display to pick up a precious three points against a dangerous side like Anzhi, and Rodgers felt his side deserved to come away with a victory. "Anzhi have got a terrific group of players and so to get a win and keep another clean sheet was excellent," he said. "But I thought we deserved it, I thought our intent in the game was to go forward and in the second half we stepped it up and did very well.

"There's been a massive investment there as a team and a club, both in terms of the playing staff and the management.

"I've been an admirer of Samuel Eto'o for years - he's a top, top striker and there's a number of other players in the side (who are dangerous). So we knew it was going to be a tough game.

"It was very much about the squad tonight. I always look to pick a team to win the game. It was our third clean sheet and we looked like we could score tonight. But the most important thing was the victory, which was very good."

Liverpool next take on Everton Sunday in the Merseyside Derby, and Rodgers is confident his relatively small squad can cope with the pressure of playing two high-profile games in three days. "For us it's just about taking it one game at a time," he added. "The squad is not overly big but the condition of the players is very good so I have no concerns about that.

"Their work rate in training and in the games has been very good. So we'll recover well. It was a very good performance and result tonight and now we are all really looking forward to Sunday."