Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish admits Andy Carroll has yet to make his mark

Kenny Dalglish has acknowledged there is a widespread perception that Newcastle benefited most from the £35 million sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool.

Although Liverpool's manager is adamant that his club remain content with the British record purchase, he has recognised that many within the game are “entitled” to think it was a bad deal.
Carroll returns to Newcastle on Sunday having struggled to persuade anyone of the merits of his Anfield move. Dalglish is still supporting his striker but, as the focus shifts on to the No 9 ahead of Sunday’s game between the sides at the Sports Direct Arena, the Scot admits that Newcastle’s cashing in on Carroll is looked upon by some as the correct decision.
“They are all entitled to their opinion,” said Dalglish. “I’m sure whatever we say about whatever Andy had done, opinion will always be split.
“There are always going to be people saying it was good or bad. But that doesn’t make any difference. For me, we were delighted to get him and we’re still very pleased to have him.”
It is a measure of Carroll’s minimal impact that 14 months on from his transfer the debate persists about his contribution. He has scored eight goals in 47 appearances. He averages a goal about every six games, while his Newcastle replacement Demba Ba (right) scores almost once every 1.5.

Carroll’s supporters will argue he has won a trophy and has more chance of winning another medal this season than his former team-mates. However, given how Liverpool have toiled in the league while Newcastle still harbour hopes of a Champions League place, having used the funds from his sale to rebuild, he may not be given such a torrid reception on his return.

Dalglish does not understand why Carroll’s former supporters would target him given how the deal materialised. “I’m not sure he will get abuse, because what happened was outside his control,” said Dalglish. “They pay their entrance money and if they want to give him stick, they will give.
“But I don’t think he ever did anything other than give his best for Newcastle, and then they got £35 million into the bargain as well. That’s not bad, is it?
“If you get booed, you take it as a compliment. Andy will be excited about going back. It’s the club he supported as a boy, the club that introduced him and gave him his chance in professional football. He will be excited about it as a local boy and will be looking forward to the game.”

Carroll’s recent form — or at least Liverpool’s results with him in the side — suggest he has contributed rather more than has been perceived this year. Of the past seven games in which he has started, Liverpool have won six and drawn one. In contrast, they have not won any of the past seven in which he has been on the bench.
Dalglish is dismissive of statistics. He does not believe they present a full picture of those games. “Stats are there for everyone to twist whatever way they want,” he said. “It’s not about any one individual, it’s about ourselves as a squad and what the squad has done to get results.
“I won’t sit and analyse everyone’s stats to see where they come out at the end. If you’re looking for someone with good stats, the most impressive is Maxi Rodríquez [currently unavailable with a stomach bug].” (Telegraph.co.uk)