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Jose Enrique: Carroll will be great

Comment: 0 December 28th, 2011 by: admin

Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique leapt to the defence of struggling striker Andy Carroll, and said that the 22-year old can become a force at Anfield.

Despite a drought in goals and a number of failed attempts during the 1-1 draw with Blackburn, Enrique said that Carroll’s true talent will emerge once the goals start coming.

‘Andy is a great player,’ said Enrique.  ‘Nobody pays £35million for a player for nothing and Andy is value.  When he starts to score one goal, he will score many goals.’

 

Enrique attributed the striker’s goal drought to the ‘different’ playing style at Liverpool.

‘It’s a different style of play for him to get used to here,’ he said.  ‘We have Luis Suarez, Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy – all different.’

Carroll’s goal frustrations were exhibited during Liverpool’s Boxing Day match against Blackburn, where the striker launched a series of attempts, only for each one to miss the target.

Despite this, Enrique stated that the 22-year old striker is someone that can be counted on during tight and challenging situations similar to that match.

‘For the style of English football, Andy is very important.  It was a little hard to get in behind Blackburn, so you are firing crosses in from everywhere.

‘Andy is capable of scoring a goal in those situations and that is very important.  I thought Andy was amazing.  The one thing is the ball doesn’t want to go in the net.’

Carroll’s goals drought has been of concern since his transfer to Liverpool last season.  Since then, he has scored only 5 goals.

‘We have the players and I think we have an amazing team.  I know it will come riht soon.’

A chance for Carroll to perhaps increase his goal total comes Friday as he and the rest of the Reds face Newcastle United, Carroll’s former squad.

What’s frustrating about this is that Carroll shows glimpses of a powerful player.  Yes there were countless misfires from his part during Blackburn but he shows an aggressiveness and persistence that are both valuable.  He just has to show himself in full form, and soon.

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