Why Andy Carroll must stay at Liverpool

With the transfer window heading towards it's expected frenzied conclusion this week, there will remain doubts over Andy Carroll's future until the window is officially declared closed.

He is most strongly linked with a return to Newcastle United, his former club, but unless a compromise can be met on valuation, then the striker is going nowhere.

And that might just be the best solution for Liverpool, who may just go onto regret letting him go to a rival club they will be jostling for position with at the end of the season, if they did end up sanctioning a sale.

It is no secret that Brendan Rodgers is seeking to remodel Liverpool's playing style, as evidenced by the signing of Joe Allen, who finished the match against Manchester City with a 94.5 per cent pass completion rate.

It is this aim to replicate the free flowing, easy on the eye passing football which could force Carroll out before the end of the week.

His face does not fit the 'new Liverpool' - But are they being too hasty in ushering him towards the exit door? Our view is yes they are.

When Carroll came on against City, he injected a new dimension to Liverpool's attack, and very nearly won the game for them.

Liverpool supporters will recall his impact in the FA Cup Final, when he dominated John Terry and gave the Reds a lifeline which they so almost took.

So it is part in his option as an 'impact substitute' where Liverpool can best utilise him, and do not really have another like for like alternative.

If he stays, Carroll will be motivated to prove he belongs, and surely will win Liverpool points, and games.

Comparing Liverpool and Barcelona is a very difficult thing to do, but one lesson Brendan Rodgers can take from the Catalan side is their lack of a 'plan B'.

All sides need to have alternate options, even Barcelona, and Andy Carroll should be kept at Liverpool to provide just that.

He suffered at Liverpool last season due to their lack of service, but he can take hope from Raheem Sterling's performance on Sunday, and their acquisition of new winger Assaidi, that more chances will come his way.

For Liverpool to sell they will have to take a big loss. Even if they sell for £17 million, they will have lost £18 million on their £35 million purchase, and deprived themselves of a potential gamewinner, and strengthen a rival if it is Newcastle who buy.

When you add all that up, it just does not seem to make much sense at all.

Should Liverpool keep Carroll this season or sell?

image: © dannymol