What’s the score with Andy Carroll?

There’s no doubt that we over paid for Carroll. Even his most ardent supporters would have to concede that. Eighteen months in Newcastle’s first team, only six of them in the Premiership, just didn’t deserve such a big price tag. Some people say money shouldn’t come into it, but sadly it does. When a player is bought for £35m, people expect instant results. Not potential. Unfortunately, I think Andy Carroll has struggled to live with that burden on his shoulders. Every game he plays, there is pressure on him. The media hype the situation up. Even Liverpool’s own website leads with headlines such as ‘Carroll starts’ on match days. This wouldn’t happen if we had paid say, £10m for him.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m very much of the opinion that modern day players should cope with the pressure. They are paid wages that are beyond the dreams of most people. They become instant millionaires and enjoy all the benefits their wealth brings with it, so they should handle the media attention. But it’s not Carroll’s fault that the club decided to splash so much money on him.

Personally I don’t think Liverpool should have bought him. I especially don’t think they should have paid anywhere near what they did. I’ve heard people say the club had no choice but to buy Carroll as they needed to appease the fans because of Torres’s departure. Apparently it was a statement of intent by the owners. They wanted to prove to fans that, unlike Hicks and Gillett, they were going to invest in the team. Well fair play but there were a few alternative ways of doing this during the January transfer window. They could have bought players in other positions, such as quality wingers. They could have bought a different striker, one who was proven. Or they could have refused to sell Torres until the summer. I hate comparing us to Manchester United but Ferguson sells players when it’s right for him and the club. Cristiano Ronaldo for example. I know Torres wasn’t playing well, but had we told him he could go if he wanted to in the summer and played him with Suarez for the last five months of the season he may have come good. Let’s not forget, Carroll was injured for most of his time with us last season anyway. Replacing Torres in the summer would have allowed us to take our time and buy the right player without being held to ransom.

Of course, this is easy to say in hindsight. I’m not having a go at the owners. I like them. I think they have a genuine vision of how they want to run the club. They are hungry for success. And they have proven track record of being successful. I just think they made a panic buy and it hasn’t paid off. In my opinion, Carroll isn’t worth £35m and he never will be, even if he starts scoring. But I believe there’s a difference between supporters and fans. And I believe we should be supporters.

I think Carroll’s performances in his last few games have been much better. He has a better goal to game ratio since he came to us than Torres has at Chelsea. He got an assist in the game against Manchester City, another in the one against United and he scored at Wolves. And although he missed a glorious chance to score against Tottenham, was his overall performance bad? I thought he finally showed that he can control a ball and was constantly putting the Tottenham defence under pressure. He was also unlucky not to score when he turned sharply in the box but was unfortunate to slip.

Andy Carroll will probably leave in the next transfer window. And based on his performances so far he should. He doesn’t look good enough for Liverpool. But I don’t think the club can afford to take a big financial hit on him. I know we got £50m for Torres but if we sell Carroll on the cheap then whatever way you look at it, we will have wasted that money. Unfortunately that has been the case for years. We let McManaman join Real Madrid for nothing a year after Barcelona had bid £12m for him. We let Owen go for £8m plus Nunez because we allowed him to run down his contract. And we sold Robbie Keane back to spurs for £12m six months after paying them £20m. A club is never going to thrive if it continues to lose money like that.

I’m just curious as to whether the majority of Liverpool supporters have already written Carroll off completely. I mean, if you were Kenny, would you sell him, even if we only get £15m for him? Would you really be prepared to lose £20m on him? Do you think he should be on the bench? Is his lack of form down to the fact that Downing hasn’t been putting quality balls into the box and until recently Gerrard was injured? Or do you think he deserves his place in the team ahead of other players who also haven’t performed great this season?

The Daily L.F.C.: 20th August 2011 – Liverpool F.C. News update

Kick off today is at 12:45PM, come on Reds lets piss off Wenger

Kenny has warned that the game will not be easy more…
(We know)

Here are some pics of the Reds training more…
(What’s up with all these ear flicking?)

Dirk Kuyt is feeling fitter than ever more…
(Excellent news)

Andy Carroll is set to make his 100 league appearance today more…
(Good luck)

And Van Persie talked about how Carroll reminds him of Shearer more…
:-)

Lucas knows the key to beating Arsenal more…
(Let’s use it today)

Huge respect to Joey Barton who has been at the forefront of  more…
(JFT96)

Jose Enrique fears for the future of Newcastle more…
(That is what terrible owners do)

Charlie Adam believes that our squad can challenge more…(YNWA) 

Bolton have rubbished rumours of Cahill moving to LFC more…
(Humm)

Pacheco is set for another season loan more…
(Good luck) 

And Aquilani had rejected a loan move to Fiorentina more…
(Humm)

And the door is open for Poulsen to leave more…
(Hummm) 

And finally, Everton might have to follow Gatafe’s lead more…
(Blue Babies?) 

On Twitter @empireofthekop

Match Report – Liverpool 3 – Newcastle 0

Liverpool who are on a great run of form at that moment were hoping to continue this run at home to Newcastle. This is a fixture with a history of exciting games and plenty of goals, but there is an added spice to this match this time around with Newcastle having won against Liverpool earlier in the season and with a certain Andy Carroll scoring for the Magpies that day. Carroll now a Liverpool player facing his old team for the first time since his last minute transfer in the January transfer window would be preparing for a hot reception from his former supporters.

THE TEAM

Liverpool still with a long list of injuries welcomed back Glen Johnson to the side at left back with young Jack Robinson making way for him at left back. The rest of the team was the same that started against Birmingham last week. Carroll who was coming back from injury was only passed fit for the bench, so Maxi kept his place in the team after his brilliant hat-trick last week. Flanagan once again starting at right back as he continues his impressive run in the side.

THE MATCH

Similar to last weeks match Liverpool struck early and it was that man Maxi once again who netted after a good passing move by Liverpool which was finished off by the Argentine via the leg of Danny Simpson.

It was another great start for the home side but unlike last week where domination set in Newcastle responded by getting good possession as Liverpool struggled to make headway. Jay Spearing was unlucky with a 25 yard effort which Krul could only parry, but he recovered quickly befory Kuyt and Meireles could pounce.

Ameobi connected with a Joey Barton header as Newcastle threatened and they continued to dominate proceedings with a series of corner kicks and free-kicks inside Liverpool territory as Liverpool struggled to clear their lines.

Lucas had a chance before the break with a header from a Flanagan cross but Krul was alert to the danger. So Liverpool went in at the break with a slender 1-0 lead.

The second half began with chances at both ends, first Barton fired just wide from a Nolan centre, then Suarez danced past a couple of defenders on the left before his shot was almost deflected beyond Krul by Mike Williamson.

Liverpool came out a different team in the second half and they were looking more dangerous and passing the ball better. Then in the 58th minute Reina sent a long searching ball downfield which Suarez chased after, but Williamson read the situation as he tried to let the ball run out for a goal-kick, but Suarez never gave up and he somehow managed to keep the ball in surprising Williamson who tried to recover the situation by fouling Suarez in the box giving referee Walton no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Dirk Kuyt despatched the spot-kick sending Krul the wrong way and doubled Liverpool’s lead. It was Kuyt’s 14th goal of the season and his 8th goal in his last 7 League outings.

Minutes later Kuyt should have made it three but he headed wide of goal from 6 yards out. But then in the 65th minute Kuyt became provider with a lovely flicked pass into the path of Suarez who fired into the net from 6 yards out ending the match as a contest.

With the points secure Dalglish introduced Andy Carroll to a standing ovation from the Kop. Liverpool nearly made it four but Meireles headed just wide from a Johnson cross. But another impressive win for Liverpool as they now move up to 5th place in the League.

SUMMARY

Another great win for Liverpool as the scoreline doesn’t suggest how difficult it was at times. Liverpool got off to a great start and great to see Maxi finding the net again, but Newcastle dominated long spells of the first half as Liverpool played second fiddle. The defence played really well and stood firm under this Newcastle pressure limiting them to very few chances. Spearing and Lucas were again superb in midfield and Flanagan coped well against a difficult opponent in Gutierriez who goes to ground very easily and drew a soft booking from the youngster. Dalglish made a great move at half-time when he switched the more experienced Johnson to right back which nulified the threat of Gutierriez, instead of substituting Flanagan which could have damaged his confidence Dalglish switched him to left back where he played very well. Luis Suarez was a constant threat and got a deserved goal. Kuyt is superb right now involved in everything and scored once again keeping his fine scoring form going. The only disappointing thing for Liverpool right now is that the season is drawing to a close but up to 5th in the League now and a real chance of European football next season which would be some achievement for the club with all thats happened in this eventful season. It would be great ot go out on a high.

Man Of The Match – Kuyt – so involved in everything good about Liverpool, once again a cool head at the penalty and a sublime pass to Suarez for his goal. He is such an important player for us.

YNWA

written by Jamie McLaughlin blog at http://theliverword.blogspot.com/

The Redmen TV: LFC 3-0 Newcastle- LFC Fan Reactions

Liverpool – Newcastle [goal videos]

Maxi

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Kuyt

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Suarez

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Liverpool vs Newcastle (Sunday)

Following our great trumping of Birmingham we host Newcastle as we try to push for a Europa league spot.

With only four games remaining this one is vital for our European chances and we must collect all 3 points.

Andy Carroll is looking likely to be rested and will not face his former team mates. Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly are still injured while Fabio Aurelio might be available. Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger are out for the remainder of the season. I think that Kenny will go with the same team that trashed Brum last weekend.

Predicted lineup:
Reina, Flanagan, Carra, Skrtel, Robinson, Lucas, Spearing, Meireles, Maxi, Kuyt, Suarez

Kickoff is at 12 Noon BST

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