Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has defended some of his fellow summer signings following suggestions that they haven't settled in at Anfield.

Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson have all come under criticism this season as the Reds find themselves 10 points off the Champions League places.

"Some people look at it and say, 'They are all internationals or they paid this fee for that player they should just come in and do a job'," said Downing.

"In reality it doesn't happen like that. There are many examples from the past of a lot of foreign players coming in and struggling at first.

"Then all of a sudden, they have set the world alight and become top players. A few of the players have been getting used to Anfield, the lads around them and to Liverpool itself."

Liverpool will be looking to banish memories of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland when they host Everton in the Merseyside derby on Tuesday.