A frustrated Andy Carroll insisted that playing with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will help him revive his former self and score more goals.
With both players suffering from injury since Carroll’s transfer from Newcastle, there had only been a few chances – specifically nine matches – for them to get on the field at the same time.
Also, the two started together in the same team only once so far: the Carling Cup first leg match against Manchester City last week.
According to Carroll, he believes that Gerrard’s return to full form after his ankle infection will allow for the creation a partnership between them and help him bring out the goals that are yet to come.
“We haven’t had a chance to start many games together,” explained the 23-year old, who is currently under pressure to produce goals after his record £35million transfer a year ago. “I think I may have been a sub when he’s started or he has been a sub when I have so it’s nice to see him back.
“When you’re on the same team as him in training, some of the passes he puts through for you and the chances he creates are incredible really. So hopefully I can keep working hard, get a nice run of games, give some good performances and get a few goals.
“If I can get a good run, hopefully that can kick-start me on again.”
Carroll continued, recalling how Gerrard’s return had a direct and visible impact on the morale of the entire club.
“You can see at Melwood that as soon as he comes out on the training pitch he’s just different class,” he said. “I think just him being there gives everyone else another lift and another boost.
“He’s already scored three goals so you can see straight away the difference he makes and the impact he has.”
Currently the striker has had a total of six goals across all competitions since January, and has struggled to find the net since donning the number 9 shirt for Liverpool.
“The supporters have been brilliant to me ever since I came here and it was great to hit the back of the net [against Oldham],” he continued. “Hopefully I can now go on a goalscoring run.
“The objective is to qualify for the Champions League and we are u p there adn still in with a great chance of achieving that aim.
“We’ve done really well against the top teams and our away form has been great but in some of the home games we’ve struggled to put our chances away and I think that’s where we need to make sure we can start to punish teams.”
Liverpool, who are currently without striker Luis Suarez due to suspension, are set to face Manchester City for the second leg of the Carling Cup next week, and two days after tussle with Manchester United for the FA Cup competition.
AUTHOR’S OPINION
We all know what Andy Carroll can do, and sadly it’s the same thing that he hasn’t been doing: score goals. It could get to a point where the excuses and the promises to do better could start to sound meaningless. This sounds like Carroll saying he will be dependent on Gerrard. Perhaps he should think about performing better without depending on anyone else.
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