Liverpool face a real dilemma over what to do about their £35 million striker.
What do do with a problem like Andy Carroll? The six foot three striker’s foul mouthed outburst at St James Park on Sunday spoke volumes about his frustration with his own form, and that of his club.
If Liverpool were to decide to sell him now, it is unquestionable that they would take a big loss on the £35 million they spend on him, which Kenny Dalglish originally described as an ‘investment.’
It may be just that, Carroll may eventually come good and go on to have a stellar Liverpool career, but right now Liverpool need to protect Carroll from the intense scrutiny which has come with his move to the club.
Before signing at Anfield, Carroll was viewed as a talented, yet flawed individual and player, who was overcoming off-pitch distractions to thrive on the pitch, using his height to his advantage.
At Liverpool he has found the pressure too much, which has come because of the expectation created by his price tag.
The positives from a personal point of view is that he has kept his personal life on the straight and narrow; in Newcastle he was hauled up before the courts for more than one assault allegation, but in Liverpool he has kept his off-pitch life entirely low-key, and has not become a ‘problem Tweeter’ for the club, like former colleague Joey Barton has for QPR, choosing to avoid the social network entirely.
The negatives from his move is that his game has suffered since his move. His height has been more of a hinderance than an advantage, missing numerous headed opportunities, while his team mates and manager have not found a way of using him in a positive way, often electing to ‘hoof’ it up to the big man.
Right now, one option available to Kenny Dalglish, is to send Andy Carroll away from Liverpool on loan.
He could say, “Look you are going to be a star player for Liverpool, it is just a question of when.”
He can send him out on loan for a whole season, and allow him to recapture his form and confidence.
If it takes two seasons out on loan, so be it. Perhaps just having the one season out on loan would put him under even more pressure, believing his Liverpool career depends on his every kick for his new club.
Liverpool should be patient with the player. Kenny Dalglish described him as an investment, rather than an instant source of success, so he should do whatever it takes to protect that investment.
His price is only depreciating, so even if Liverpool do not feel there is a future for Carroll at Liverpool having seen him close hand, the least they could do is send him out on loan until he starts scoring regularly, and then sell him when his price tag would rise- although clearly not to £35 million levels, but may be enough to raise £20 million for him than the £5-10 million he currently represents.
Of course the counterargument for this, is if Liverpool are going to loan with a view to sell, they will be paying his wages over this time, which would cut into any sale price, so loaning with a view for bring him back to eventually be a star at Anfield may be a far better choice.
Loan moves though can be risky. There is no guarantee that Liverpool would see any real improvement in Andy Carroll’s game.
Look at Alberto Aquilani’s two years away, moments of fleeting success mixed with inconsistency, and Joe Cole has had a steady yet unspectacular season at Lille, and will return to the club in the summer without really have answered any questions over his ability to make it at Anfield.
There is also bigger risk involved. Manchester United loaned their ‘problem striker’ Bebe out to Besiktas last summer, only to see him suffer a cruciate ligament injury before even making an appearance for the Turkish side, making his chances of rescuing his Old Trafford career even more unlikely.
Then there is also Carroll’s off-field issues. As we mentioned earlier, Carroll has turned his personal life around to an extent that he has, at least, stayed out of trouble with the law. Away from Liverpool, and especially if he returned to Newcastle, then there is a risk he could go off the rails.
So Liverpool face a real dilemma. Should they keep him?
The club have a better win ratio with Carroll in the side than without him, so should they put themselves before the player’s need for a temporary escape from the spotlight and carry on playing him until he discovers his form?
Will Carroll ever escape the spotlight? It is unlikely. To put his transfer in context, when it was made, he was one of the top 10 most expensive transfers ever in world football.
It is all on him to re-produce his form and score goals regularly, but Liverpool will have to be patient with him. Supporters will argue they already have been, so this summer a junction will be reached where a decision will have to be made on his future.
Let us know what you think Liverpool should do with Andy Carroll
What should Liverpool do with Andy Carroll
image: © joncandy
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