Liverpool managed to get a 2-1 win over West Ham on Sunday to go back to the top of the Premier League. In the build up to the game, there was a lot of talk about Andy Carroll playing against his former side. Carroll proved to be a threat to the Reds on Sunday with his physical presence and he played a huge part in the West Ham goal as he fouled Simon Mignolet in the build up to the goal.
Prior to the game, Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, pointed out why he sold Andy Carroll to West Ham as there was a lot of talk saying that Carroll was simply not good enough for the Reds.
Brendan Rodgers said, “I’m not sure Andy will feel he has a point to prove – he knows he’s a top player, West Ham paid a lot of money for him and in the style they play he’s one of the best there is.
“Playing week in week out was probably the biggest factor, and it was a chance for him to do that. I don’t think he has to prove anything to anyone.
“Andy wasn’t let go by me because he wasn’t good enough let’s get that clear. His style of play he’s one of the best in Europe. Attacking the ball, heading, he’s outstanding.
“But we came in with a certain approach and philosophy, and it’s not to say he couldn’t fit into that style, but he needed to play. There were financial considerations too, and it was really a question of him getting the chance to play regularly, which he’s done brilliantly at West Ham.”
We saw on Sunday how West Ham play by pumping the ball high towards Carroll and hoping he gets onto the end of it or he flicks the ball on for he teammates. That long ball style is not how Liverpool play and Rodgers was 100% right in letting Carroll go.
Some may say that Carroll would have provided Liverpool with a ‘Plan B’ if the pace and creativity of Suarez and Sturridge was not working. But you can not have a £35million player on high wages sitting on the bench as a Plan B which may never get the chance to play. I think for the sake of Liverpool and Carroll, parting terms was the best thing to do.
Agree completely with what you say , I was one of many who said he would make a `plan B ` . But as Brendan rightly says you cannot have someone on a huge salary that sits on the bench , similar situ. to Pepe Reina .Plus BR wants the hoof-ball completely removed from the LFC way of playing . Brendan as usual was being diplomatic when he says Andy is brilliant at the long-ball game , I do not agree , all he & Nolan did was use fouling tactics a la ` Pulis at Stoke & Moyes at Everton ie Nolan obstructs the G/K whilst Carroll takes advantage . Give me the S a S a S style of attacking every time . Our goals for column proves this , long may it last . In the Summer window we need 2 world class midfielders to make us a world class team .
Just noticed that that Lucas got 6% of votes for MOM . Lucas is not & never will be outstanding , Stevie is showing how we have missed a real holding midfielder , playing in a more advanced role Lucas was marginally better than Coutinho but still nowhere good enough , we need a Rooney type attacking midfielder in behind our 3 world class front 3 ie SaSaS .
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