Why Andy Carroll Shouldn’t Go Back To Liverpool.

Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Man Utd at Anfield on Sunday saw them complete their worst start to a league campaign in over 100 years. With just two points from their opening 5 games and the club sitting in 18th place it hasn’t been the most memorable starts to Brendan Rodgers tenure as coach. Now obviously as a result many fans are critical of their new manager and the way in which he has handled the club in his short time in charge. Most pundits and myself included will always say, simply give him time he needs to improve the team. After five games its just to early to judge weather Rodgers can urn the fortunes of the club around.

However one thing we can all be critical of is the club’s handling of the last transfer window and lack of activity in signing new players in the wake of Andy Carroll’s departure on loan to West Ham Utd. Liverpool failed to replace him and have now left themselves short of striking options up front.

After the Man City game Rodgers was asked if Andy Carroll could be brought back from loan and he replied by saying he can return in January. But here is the thing. I don’t think it suits either Carroll or Rodgers for that to happen.

When Rodgers took over at Liverpool in the summer the simple fact is Carroll wasn’t part of his future plans. So he moved him on loan to West Ham. But having left himself short of strikers why would he bring back Carroll if he isn’t part of his plan. The January transfer window is more than a chance to bring just to bring back Carroll. It’s a better opportunity for Rodgers to identify the player he wants to best suit his philosophy and can improve the team the way he sees fit. I don’t think Rodgers should bow to media and fan pressure to bring a player back that he doesn’t intend on using nor even want in the first place.

I also don’t think it would be in Andy Carroll’s best interest either. His debut for West Ham against Fulham was an excellent display before being brought off because of an injury he sustained in the second half. At West Ham, Carroll knows that if he is fit he will start. Unlike at Liverpool where he started almost all the time on the bench. As a player Carroll will want to play regular first team football and boost his opportunity to play for England and go to Brazil in 2014 as England’s leading forward. So why then should he go back to sit on a bench and play in a team where he knows the manager doesn’t want him.