Andy Carroll has revealed that he did not want to join Liverpool from Newcastle United.
Carroll joined the Reds on the final day of the January transfer window in 2011, becoming the club’s biggest signing for a fee of £35 million.
Carroll’s time at Liverpool was cut short despite hopes that he could form a lethal partnership with Luis Suarez, who signed on the same day. And, in an interview with L’Equipe in France, the 34-year-old explained why: he didn’t want to be at Anfield at all.
“I found myself aboard a helicopter, without really understanding why, from the moment Liverpool made this extraordinary bid on deadline day,” the former England striker claims.
I remember wanting to flunk my medical because I was upset.
Carroll did have some bright spots, and to be fair, he does believe that the move was a net advantage for him.
“This [joining Liverpool] helped me grow up by taking me out of my comfort zone,” he says. “Because I knew nothing about life and football, apart from Newcastle.”
Carroll admits Liverpool’s hesitancy.
If you’re wondering why Carroll is speaking to L’Equipe, it’s because the former Reds No.9 is now playing for Amiens in the French second division.
Carroll’s career has generally been a downhill slide since joining Liverpool 12 years ago.
He spent six years with West Ham United after leaving Liverpool barely 18 months after signing.
However, the massive, ponytailed hitman never recaptured the form that drew the Reds to him.
Carroll’s statements here demonstrate exactly why he struggled at Liverpool. Of course, he must have found it tough to leave Newcastle. However, the opportunity to play for the Reds was an incredible one for any athlete.
He had the chance to connect with one of the best players of his generation, Luis Suarez, but he passed it up.
It would be interesting to learn what Carroll would do differently in retrospect. For the time being, we wish him all the best with his new venture in France. Even if they are hesitant, once a Red, always a Red.
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