Kop flop Carroll leaves Liverpool red... in the face

Grant Holt showed the Kop, Andy Carroll and Kenny Dalglish what a talismanic player is all about.

Carroll had the chance to redeem his ever-falling standing among the Anfield faithful yesterday, after Holt’s towering header had cancelled out Craig Bellamy’s 45th minute strike for Liverpool.

Holt was Norwich’s talisman in their drive towards promotion, but many questioned his pedigree to perform in the Premier League.

To score an equaliser against Liverpool at Anfield – it does not get more talismanic than that.

On the other hand, playing at home against a newly-promoted side Norwich, Dalglish needed the win. Especially with Newcastle growing in stature, confidence and strength as the new top four contender. Especially after holding Manchester United to a draw.

That Dalglish did not start with Carroll in itself has hinted that the Mr 30 Million may soon find himself a permanent feature on the bench, or given a run for cup ties.

Still, it was the kind of setting Carroll thrived in at Newcastle – coming to the rescue. With ten minutes to go, it was his chance to keep Liverpool abreast of the Champions League spots and win back Merseyside support.

Instead, he looked about as effective as a beanpole in the rain.

Carroll, like all forwards, seems to now have the confidence draining from him.

The pressure of living up to a huge price tag and expectation is beginning to tell.

Liverpool cannot risk him being a failure anymore. Which means, he sits on the bench. That’s 30 million quid on the bench. King Kenny might well do a Pontius Pilate and wash his hands come January.