How will the Andy Carroll deal affect Liverpool?

Manager Brendan Rodgers has won over a large fraction of the Anfield faithful but his success will largely be measured by the performance Liverpool put up next season. The delightful football, the swift passing moves and the abundance of goals in the last half of the season were satisfactory enough for this transitory season, but the next season will be measured by where Liverpool finish on the table and their performance in cup competitions. The reign of Kenny Dalglish was largely detrimental to the fortunes of Liverpool because of the disastrous transfer spending that involved a massive deal for Andy Carroll, who was brought to Anfield from Newcastle. The effect of that deal continues to haunt Liverpool as the owners have been hesitant in the transfer market so far. However, that trend seems to be changing as confidence builds in the manager.

Liverpool bought Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho in the January window and that made an immediate impact in terms of the goals as well as in the quality on the pitch. Liverpool have already made a smart buy in Kolo Toure, who brings Premier League experience with him for a relatively cheap price. Iago Aspas is Anfield-bound and he is yet another player who promises to contribute in the squad. The ambitious move that Liverpool are pursuing currently is for the Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and if that is accomplished, Liverpool would have accomplished a major part of the summer rebuilding process. But what can further spur the process is the West Ham deal for Andy Carroll.

Carroll spent a miserable season at Liverpool in which he spent an incredible amount of time on the bench for a £35 million signing. He was playing a one-dimensional role in the team. His every move was scrutinized at the club because of the value at which he came to the club and that is one of the hazards of being a modern day professional footballer. He was a young player at a big club and it seemed like he was trying to play to his value, and he was bound to fail. He had the occasional goal in cup competitions but Premier league defences were able to pin him down. He was one of the principal reasons that Kenny Dalglish was sacked for and his miserable time at Liverpool would also come to a gradual end.

Carroll was immediately moved out of Anfield by Rodgers, who saw no scope to utilize him in his footballing philosophy that relies on passing and possession instead of physicality. Another troubling factor with Andy Carroll is that he is injury-prone. He has spent a lot of time on the bench for West Ham, but there is no doubt about the fact that he can be effective in a system that favours his skills. He can play just at the head of the formation and receive long balls with ease. Given excellent service from the wings, he can put those crosses in the goal with his heading abilities. Unfortunately, Liverpool will not be employing a system like that under Brendan Rodgers, and thus it is best for his career as well as for Liverpool’s future that they part ways.

He did well for West Ham last season and Sam Allardyce wants to build a team around him. It is a platform for him from where he can move on to bigger things, if he proves his merit. Fortunately, the exorbitant wage demands and the muscle flexing has subsided and the deal is likely to go through. Liverpool will do well to invest that cash back into the team but they must make sure that they do not repeat the mistakes they committed in the past.

Liverpool need to strengthen their defense further as Martin Skrtel’s future at the club remains uncertain. He is being linked to a move to Napoli to join former boss Rafael Benitez. With the retirement of Jamie Carragher, there is scope for investment in an established center back for which Kolo Toure can be the back-up. Liverpool might still have to shore up their attack if Luis Suarez leaves. The extra cash that Andy Carroll’s move will bring will enhance Liverpool’s position to make these investments and bring to end a rather sorry affair.