AS Liverpool entered 2012, Andy Carroll was a name that was prevalent in many a football fans discussion.
Unfortunately, it was for all the wrong reasons. Having scored just two league goals entering the Christmas period, things looked bleak for the former Newcastle striker.
With a £35 million price tag constantly hanging over his head, the lack of goals and poor performances from Carroll fuelled the media’s negative press.
With all of this in mind, it is quite perplexing to see that at the end of this forgettable season, Liverpool’s number 9 is the clubs form player. With a last minute winner away to Blackburn in April, Carroll sparked into life and has yet to falter. This was soon followed by another winning goal, this time in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton, a goal that Jamie Carragher said was ”worth the £35 million price tag alone”.
Carroll’s impact when brought on to the pitch at last Saturday’s Final was there for everyone to see. Not only did he score but was a constant threat to Terry and Ivanovic, one of the best defensive partnerships in Europe. Carroll’s aerial dominance and general confidence in his abilities made people question the outcome of the game had He played from the first whistle.
The match in which Carroll’s transformation was most visible was the league game against Chelsea on Tuesday. Never before had John Terry looked as outplayed on a pitch. The former England captain was made to look Sunday League as time after time, Carroll won every header, completed every pass and contained every loose ball. His link up play with Luis Suarez was working better than ever and although he did not get his name on the scoresheet, the big man had the game of his Liverpool career. Sky Sports coverage spoke of Carroll as a new Didier Drogba, predicting a meteoric rise in his form come next season and even began to speak of a place within the England Euro 2012 squad for Carroll.
Although the exciting turn around in Carroll’s form is a slap in the face to all of the constant negative reports that deem the striker not good enough, the club cannot afford to get carried away. The fact is that we will need firepower upfront next season, we simply do not score enough goals.
However, these two months of top form that Andy Carroll has produced, may have saved his Liverpool career. If he had continued with his vain of form pre-Christmas, there would have to be serious consideration as to whether or not the club should hold on to him or get rid of him before another season of missed chances and negative press. Now, it looks like he will be entering the 2012-2013 season in the form of his life.
If signings can be made that can compliment Carroll’s ability, it could prove extremely threatening. Many times this season Carroll has cut a lonely, frustrated figure at the peak of Liverpool’s formation, itching to receive crosses that are never delivered well enough. With Maxi leaving, Dirk Kuyt considering looking for a new club and Stewart Downing’s ability not looking anywhere near good enough, a couple of quality wingers could ignite the club and the disappointment of this season will be long forgotten.
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