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FROM the demolition of Newcastle at St James’ Park to a dramatic night in the Bernabeu. It’s been a week of highs for Stewart Downing and the Liverpool FC winger is hungry for more ahead of the 220th Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Downing was one of the 11 members of Brendan Rodgers’ squad who enjoyed a short trip to Spain this week to watch Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund.

It was a leaving do for Jamie Carragher but the retiring centre-back will have to wait until Sunday afternoon to receive the parting gift he craves from his team-mates.

“Once Carra announced his retirement, Stevie (Gerrard) mentioned to the lads that we should do something and with Carra loving his football so much, we decided to go to a game,” Downing revealed.

“The manager allowed us to go over there and we were all in a box at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

“It was the first time I’ve been there and it’s an amazing stadium. The atmosphere towards the end, after Real scored those two late goals, was brilliant.

“Nuri Sahin joined us in the box after and brought a few of the Dortmund players with him. They were obviously delighted about getting through.

“It was a good trip but since we got back the focus has been solely on Everton.

“Carra has been on at everyone making sure they are ready for Sunday. It’s strange to think that he won’t be around next season, but I think once he had made his decision there was no chance of him going back on it.

“Since he came back into the team he has done really well and he wants to go out on a high.

“With this being his last derby, Sunday will be extra special. He’s desperate to win it – as we all are. We don’t need reminding how big this game is.

“It’s not just about the bragging rights. We need the points if we want to get above Everton and finish in the top six.”

Downing’s derby record is unblemished – three appearances, three wins.

A 2-0 victory at Goodison last season was followed by Steven Gerrard’s hat-trick in the return fixture at Anfield before the Reds completed a memorable treble in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The 28-year-old has learned exactly what this fixture means to both sides of the city.

“I’d played in Villa v Birmingham and Middlesbrough v Newcastle but those games don’t come close to this one,” he said.

“This is much more intense. You get the fans always coming up to you in the days before saying ‘make sure you beat the Blues’. The games with Everton are played at 100 miles an hour.

“Last season it was comfortable in the end at Goodison and then the home game with Stevie’s hat-trick was a great game to play in. The atmosphere that night was unbelievable. We were up against it going into that game after some bad results but the lads responded really well.

“The one at Wembley was the really tough one. They pressed us and made it hard for us but the good thing about this club is that we always keep going and in the end we got through.”

How times have changed for Downing since the last time these two fierce rivals met.

During October’s 2-2 draw at Goodison, he watched on from the bench as Luis Suarez had a last-gasp winner wrongly disallowed for offside.

A long way down the pecking order, Downing appeared destined for the Anfield exit door.

Rodgers informed him he was surplus to requirements and could leave in January but Downing refused to accept his fate. He knuckled down and forced his way back into the manager’s plans.

He has achieved that in style and his performance at Newcastle last weekend showcased a confidence which was lacking during his opening 18 months at Anfield.

“I was very open about what happened around the time of the last derby,” he said.

“Brendan was bringing players in and fielding them in my position. It didn’t look great for me and it looked like I would be on my way in January.

“But I never wanted to go and I stayed patient. When I got a chance I just had to do well and stay in the team.

“I knew if I played well the manager couldn’t leave me out and that’s been my attitude in every game since.

“Even though Brendan has said to me I’m part of his plans going forward, I know I need to keep performing. It could change again.

“I am enjoying the way we play and the manager’s ideas. Once we get that consistency we will be a really good team.

“Look at the 4-0s, the 5-0s and the 6-0 last week – we have been absolutely battering some teams. It's exciting and I want to stay here in the long term.”

Downing has established a good rapport with Glen Johnson down the Reds’ right and he knows their double act will be crucial on Sunday up against Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar.

“I like playing with Glen. It seems to click between us,” Downing said.

“He’s an attacking full-back and it means I can play inside more.

“At other clubs I’ve been more of an out and out winger. Here I don’t cross the ball anywhere near as much as I used to at other clubs.

“It’s been a different side of the game to learn. I’m getting in better positions, goalscoring positions. I’ve scored a few but I want more before the end of the season. The winner in the derby would be nice.

“With me attacking and Baines looking to get forward for them that could be a key battle.

“In the last couple of seasons, Baines has gone up a few levels. In terms of England, Ashley Cole was untouchable for years but now Baines is on his back and it’s a hard choice for Roy Hodgson. That shows what a good player he has become.

“David Moyes always seem to buy well – Kevin Mirallas was a great buy and getting Pienaar back was a plus. He drives the best out of every player and they seem to perform above expectations every year.

“Everton have done very well this season but I still think we are a better team and we can prove that on Sunday.”