Kenny Dalglish has launched an impassioned defence of Andy Carroll, insisting Liverpool do not share the fears apparently harboured by England manager Fabio Capello over the £35 million striker’s form, fitness and lifestyle.
The Italian this week suggested Carroll needed to “be careful” to take care of himself away from football,
suggesting the forward’s physique means he needs to “drink less” than other players and intimating that the intensity of his training at club level is not always as high as it is with England.
Capello has long championed Carroll’s cause, handing the 22 year-old his debut against France last year just weeks into his Premier League career. He scored on his second appearance, against Ghana in March.
The England manager had previously described the striker as “one of the most interesting players in Europe”. That Carroll’s star has waned, though, was evident from his absence for the 3-0 victory against Bulgaria last week and his appearance only as a very late substitute in Tuesday’s 1-0 win against Wales.
Combined with his warning over the former Newcastle forward’s extra-curricular activities, it is clear Capello is unimpressed with his attitude.
It is a view that drew a defiant response from Dalglish. The Liverpool manager is keen not to be drawn into an argument with Capello, insisting the Italian’s meaning had been manipulated and stating that Carroll is “appreciative” of the advice of an England manager the striker “has great respect for”. But Dalglish is adamant that discussing the player’s off-field activities is anachronistic and “totally unfair”.
Liverpool’s medical staff are believed to be pleased with the progress Carroll has made this season, with the striker the only player at the club to feature in all the club’s pre-season fixtures. Dalglish has long insisted the only reason the player failed to impress following his move in January is that Liverpool asked him to play before he was fully fit.
“I think it is unfair to discuss Andy,” Dalglish said. “Everyone wants to talk about it but we have said what we have had to say. What we have said is very pertinent and very honest. We know the truth.
“We do not have any problem whatsoever with Andy. We are delighted to have him here and he will be a fantastic asset for us. Last year it was our fault that we played him when we should not have done. Just judge him for what he does on the pitch.
“We have said often enough that Andy was not properly fit last season because of injury but that seems to fall on deaf ears. We have been very pleased with the level of fitness he has achieved this season.
“Andy is wiser than a lot of people who write about it in the press. I don’t think Andy’s lifestyle is anything like what you would like it to be to get stories.”
Carroll will be joined in Dalglish’s squad for tomorrow’s trip to Stoke by new signings Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy, a player the Liverpool manager singled out for praise yesterday after he took a substantial pay-cut — as well as agreeing a reduced compensation package with Manchester City — to return to Anfield.
“He’s really enthusiastic to be back and made a lot of sacrifices to come back here, financial and otherwise, because of what the club means to him,” said Dalglish. “We are delighted to have people with that attitude.”
The Scot is certain the 32 year-old, who left Anfield after just a season in 2007 after attacking John Arne Riise with a golf club, will not disrupt the harmonious dressing-room atmosphere Dalglish has done much to foster. “I don’t think it will be a problem,” Dalglish quipped. “He’s given up golf. You wouldn’t want to take the personality away from any players.”
Steven Gerrard will soon return to the Liverpool squad. Dalglish said the midfielder is “not far away” from recovering from the groin injury that has ruled him out since March.
The Italian this week suggested Carroll needed to “be careful” to take care of himself away from football,
suggesting the forward’s physique means he needs to “drink less” than other players and intimating that the intensity of his training at club level is not always as high as it is with England.
Capello has long championed Carroll’s cause, handing the 22 year-old his debut against France last year just weeks into his Premier League career. He scored on his second appearance, against Ghana in March.
The England manager had previously described the striker as “one of the most interesting players in Europe”. That Carroll’s star has waned, though, was evident from his absence for the 3-0 victory against Bulgaria last week and his appearance only as a very late substitute in Tuesday’s 1-0 win against Wales.
Combined with his warning over the former Newcastle forward’s extra-curricular activities, it is clear Capello is unimpressed with his attitude.
It is a view that drew a defiant response from Dalglish. The Liverpool manager is keen not to be drawn into an argument with Capello, insisting the Italian’s meaning had been manipulated and stating that Carroll is “appreciative” of the advice of an England manager the striker “has great respect for”. But Dalglish is adamant that discussing the player’s off-field activities is anachronistic and “totally unfair”.
Liverpool’s medical staff are believed to be pleased with the progress Carroll has made this season, with the striker the only player at the club to feature in all the club’s pre-season fixtures. Dalglish has long insisted the only reason the player failed to impress following his move in January is that Liverpool asked him to play before he was fully fit.
“I think it is unfair to discuss Andy,” Dalglish said. “Everyone wants to talk about it but we have said what we have had to say. What we have said is very pertinent and very honest. We know the truth.
“We do not have any problem whatsoever with Andy. We are delighted to have him here and he will be a fantastic asset for us. Last year it was our fault that we played him when we should not have done. Just judge him for what he does on the pitch.
“We have said often enough that Andy was not properly fit last season because of injury but that seems to fall on deaf ears. We have been very pleased with the level of fitness he has achieved this season.
“Andy is wiser than a lot of people who write about it in the press. I don’t think Andy’s lifestyle is anything like what you would like it to be to get stories.”
Carroll will be joined in Dalglish’s squad for tomorrow’s trip to Stoke by new signings Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy, a player the Liverpool manager singled out for praise yesterday after he took a substantial pay-cut — as well as agreeing a reduced compensation package with Manchester City — to return to Anfield.
“He’s really enthusiastic to be back and made a lot of sacrifices to come back here, financial and otherwise, because of what the club means to him,” said Dalglish. “We are delighted to have people with that attitude.”
The Scot is certain the 32 year-old, who left Anfield after just a season in 2007 after attacking John Arne Riise with a golf club, will not disrupt the harmonious dressing-room atmosphere Dalglish has done much to foster. “I don’t think it will be a problem,” Dalglish quipped. “He’s given up golf. You wouldn’t want to take the personality away from any players.”
Steven Gerrard will soon return to the Liverpool squad. Dalglish said the midfielder is “not far away” from recovering from the groin injury that has ruled him out since March.
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