"It was a wonderful strike from Stewart," said Rodgers. "It's been difficult for him since he has been here so I just wanted something to help his confidence. The Kop recognise it was a wonderful goal and if you get that applause it means a lot. Hopefully that will do him good and he has the qualities to play in that position."
It would seem the Europa League assumed greater importance at some point between the final whistle of the previous defeat to Udinese and last night's kick-off against Guus Hiddink's collective of wealthy journeymen.
Having spared the energy of his key men in previous fixtures of the competition, there was no disguising the gamble 72 hours before the derby. Rodgers played down any fears of over-exertion. The merit of his calculation will only be fully assessed on Sunday. There will be little sympathy from Liverpool fans if tired limbs or any nagging injuries sustained here are blamed for a poor display at Goodison. Glen Johnson's early exit with a spasm, described as precautionary, was an example of the precariousness of a thin squad.
It was evident Rodgers was unwilling to sacrifice European hopes before Christmas, but he would have been grateful for the surprisingly ponderous approach of the visitors.
Hiddink, who was approached for the Liverpool job before Roy Hodgson's appointment two years ago, had set up his side to stifle and frustrate and their negative approach was a disappointment. Samuel Eto'o, rather like Luis Suárez, too often felt compelled to take on defenders alone but he was barely supported by midfield.
Initially, Liverpool's determination to paint pretty pictures in midfield with little to penetrate a packed defence meant the necessary zip was missing to elevate the game above the tedious. That changed in a much-improved second half when Liverpool's most potent threat was offered by those unlikely to start on Sunday.
As well as Downing, summer recruit Oussama Assaidi – whose directness has made him an endearing figure already – was the focal point.
Most of the home pressure was originating from the left wing through the Moroccan winger and, initially, Johnson prior to Downing's switch. When the England defender departed prematurely, it forced Downing into the unfamiliar defensive role from which he surprisingly and expertly opened the scoring on 53 minutes. He cut in from the left to hit sweetly with his right foot beyond the helpless Vladimir Gabulov.
Jonjo Shelvey almost added a second but shot tamely at the keeper as Liverpool began to dominate and it was only the familiar anxiety in the closing stages when that threatened to undermine Rodgers' side.
Eto'o was almost gifted an equaliser on 70 minutes when Downing's daft pass put Martin Skrtel in trouble; Eto'o pounced, but shot straight at Brad Jones, who again looked solid deputising for Pepe Reina.
That was the only real scare, and after starting the evening clinging on in pursuit of qualification to the knockout stage, Liverpool top their group. Rodgers' instincts told him it made more sense to try to extend interest in this competition at home, thus avoiding taking Steven Gerrard and Suárez to Russia in a fortnight – three days before a trip to Chelsea.
The debate about his selection will inevitably be delayed until Sunday. After this win, do not expect the big guns to be loaded in the same way for Moscow.
Match details
Liverpool: Jones; Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson (Sterling 46); Gerrard, Sahin, Shelvey (Allen 80); Downing, Suarez, Assaidi.
Subs Not Used: Gulacsi,Henderson,Carragher,Fernandez Saez,Yesil.
Booked: Suarez, Agger.
Goals: Downing 53.
Anzhi Makhachkala: Vladimir Gabulov; Agalarov (Logashov 61), Samba, Joao Carlos, Zhirkov; Shatov, Georgi Gabulov, Boussoufa (Lakhiyalov 77); Carcela-Gonzalez, Eto'o, Smolov (Traore 64).
Subs Not Used: Pomazan, Gadzhibekov, Tagirbekov, Mukhammad.
Booked: Samba, Agalarov.
Att: 39,358
Ref: Bas Nijhuis (Holland).
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