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19 March 2024

Liverpool to dump Carroll after England display?

England's Andy Carroll (R) challenges Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon during their Euro 2012 quarter-final soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev, June 24, 2012. (REUTERS)

Published
By Staff

Andy Carroll displayed all his wares for Liverpool’s new manager Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers, whose style of management has suggested that everybody will be given a fair chance – read Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani.

But, what of one of the most expensive players in the history of the Premier League – Andy Carroll?

Carroll’s selection for the England team at the Euros was seen as the arrival of the big, pony-tailed hitman.

His brilliant header against Sweden a suggestion that the ‘over-priced’ tag was off his shoulders and he was finally living up to the potential Kenny Dalglish believed he had.

Then came the Italians. And Carroll was exposed.

Brought on by Roy Hodgson as a sub for Danny Welbeck early enough in the second half against Italy in the quarterfinal on Sunday, Carroll leapt head and shoulders above any Italian defender.

He headed the ball with authority, though rarely in the path of Wayne Rooney.

He chested the ball admirably.

When the ball (and often the Italian defence) was at his feet, he then contrived to give it away.

In fact, so many times did Carroll give the ball away that the Italians stopped challenging him for the long ball that Joe Hart would punt towards him.

They would allow Carroll to trap it and then just watch him give it back to them.

Carroll is young (no, not that Young) and many believe that he still has what it takes to be a classic No 9.

Liverpool on the other hand have time ticking – the number of minutes, hours, years since they last won the Premier League.

Rodgers might have to use Carroll like Dalglish did – off the bench.

The question is: is he worth 27 million pounds.