When faced with the skepticism of a huge transfer fee, the first thing a player wants to do is prove the doubters wrong. But for Andy Carroll, his £35million move to Liverpool was the start of a frustrating second half of the season that saw the former Newcastle striker stifled by injuries. But as Liverpool kicked off their new season with a raft of new summer arrivals, Carroll himself can be viewed as a new addition to the Anfield side as he finally gets a proper chance to prove his worth on Merseyside.
Carroll made the move from Newcastle to Liverpool on the final day of the January transfer window for a fee that was rightly questioned. Whilst Carroll enjoyed a successful spell at Newcastle, he is still vastly unproven as a top goalscorer. But Liverpool took the risk on Carroll as a replacement for the outgoing Fernando Torres.
Carroll arrived on Merseyside carrying an injury and subsequently didn’t make his debut until early March. He went on to make a handful of further appearances for the Reds toward the end of the season but was rarely fully fit and fans only saw glimpses of Carroll at his best. His most notable performance to date was his two goals against Manchester City in April in a thrilling display that showed how dangerous an in form Carroll can be for Liverpool.
Kenny Dalglish should now have the benefit of a fit Carroll, who has had pre-season to not only gain full fitness but also form partnerships with Liverpool’s current stars and other new signings. In particular the deliveries of Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing should only benefit Carroll’s aerial ability whilst he has a proper chance to form a deadly partnership with skillful strike partner Luis Suarez. Dalglish now has the chance to not only utilise Carroll but also build a team around the young Englishman from the start of the season.
Would love to see Carroll do well but the same images seem to crop up again. When Carroll was on there seemed to be more crossing from the flanks but no rhythm in our play in the final third. The match seemed lacking in any excitement. Once Suarez and Mierles came on it all changed in to pass and move. More easier on the eye and produced the winning goals. Admittedly we had an extra man but the difference for me was all too clear.
Newcastle fan here..
I worry for Carroll a bit of I’m honest. He had one good half season in the prem, and then I think the hype got to him. On top of that, we basically built our style of play around him, and he constantly had Nolan and Barton by his side trying to tee him up for goal. Whereas when Gerrard is back in the side, he’ll have to suit his play to Gerrard pulling the strings from midfield and will have to adapt to the fact that he’s not the focal point for the team. Add Suarez to the mix (who looks a fantastic player) and he’ll be getting a lot less touches upfront.
I hope he does well though, obviously, now that the bitterness has faded away.
@Tommy: you do not have to worry that Carroll would not make it big in the English League because he is definitely not going to make it.
Yawn. Carroll will get two against Bolton and then have scored 2 goals in 3 games. Cue the media returning to ‘the new Alan Shearer’ mode and the same fans slagging Carroll to be here claiming they always thought he was great.
Fickle fans. Everyone relax.
Suarez and Carroll are our future pairing and they can be a great partnership – they’ve barely played together since January.
Carroll and Kuyt together as a pairing does lack both pace and trickery however. I feel that Carroll was better than Kuyt yesterday, but Carroll has gotten more abuse (thats the problem with costing £35m). Simply, Kuyt should be backup for Carroll, but not Suarez – when Suarez is missing we have no-one to stretch teams like he does.
All the talk of the need for new CD’s and LB’s has overlooked this important point.
We badly need another backup striker who can fill in for Suarez. Shane Long would have been perfect – pace, relentless work ethic, and a composed finisher who can also lead the line alone if need be. But oh well. Kenny may have a surprise in store yet.
I feel a new striker of this type to compensate for the loss of Pacheco and N’Gog, a new centre-back to replace Soto and a new right winger and we would have a fantastic squad. An additional backup option for the flanks and a DM to compete with Lucas and Spearing would be nice too! Maybe I’m being greedy! Also I am aware we have excellent youngsters coming through who could potentially fill these backup roles, such as Sterling and Coady.
Overall a great result against Arsenal, we had to win considering their weakened team, but in past years we would have buckled. 2 games in and we have lots of new players adjusting so I feel we did well. Unreal how badly a 0-2 win against Arsenal has been recieved in some quarters.
A shame about the missed penalty against Sunderland – would have been game over – but remember that Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs are all in transition. We can make the top 4 this year. 3rd/4th and a cup this season and I’d be very happy! We can be even stronger next year, both financially and on the pitch.
Enrique and Downing were very good. Adam and Henderson are still adjusting – so be patient folks. £6m for Enrique! What a steal! Nicely done Kenny.
@barry: True, Suarez is our future, but Carroll will be the most expensive British flop in the history of the Premier League.
Carroll still hasn’t set my pulse racing yet! Everybody is twittering on about the great potential he has, but it’s goals, not potential, that win matches.The side that finished on Saturday had a far better balance than the side that started. Having said that, I think that Kuypt should have stayed on at the expense of Henderson.Play Carroll on Wednesday and see if he can produce a bit more than one header on goal and one shot in 70 minutes !
and he won’t Brian unfortunately! biggest flop in PL history! Aguero = £38m, David Villa = £32m, Carroll = £35m, who would you have???
i’d have torres = £50m LOL
Andy Carroll isn’t aflop many doesn’t observe what he is doing and what’s Carroll can do to be in progress . For the 2 matches he had played he remain too much inside the goal keeper box that’s stop him to score less space block by defenders sometime Referee thought that he is using opponent to jump to score and they got free kick which stop Liverpool to be in progress .The only advice for Carroll to avoid and to get space to score without any interference he have to remain outside the goal keeper box bcoz of his height jump higher to put or shot and to be the best YNWA
I think Carroll would be better used as an impact sub, I don’t know if this will happen due to his price tag though. We have been linked today with Kevin Doyle and if he were to sign I think him and Suarez have the potential to be a lethal partnership and I would love to see it, with Carroll used to close out games.
u might want to slow down mate ……..just breathe