Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has blasted the press for their focus on £35M striker Andy Carroll.

 

The giant forward has failed to convince in a red shirt since moving from Newcastle United almost one year ago, with questions understandably being asked about his position in the Liverpool squad.

 

Indeed, Dalglish has appeared to prefer free transfer signing Craig Bellamy to Carroll at points this season, while Luis Suarez is an instant pick when available.

 

Carroll has also seen his lifestyle off the pitch come under the microscope, especially after England coach Fabio Capello suggested he needed to adopt a more professional approach with less drinking and late nights.

 

Dalglish though has railed against the striker’s critics and insisted Liverpool are more than happy with the player’s performance.

 

"I think you yourselves have a bigger problem with Andy Carroll than anybody else", blasted the Liverpool manager to the assembled press.

 

"Every week there’s questions. This time it is understandable, I suppose because he is playing against Newcastle United, if he is to start.

 

"But I don’t understand the rest of the stuff. I think somebody has got some imagination about the lifestyle that big Andy leads compared to the one that we know he leads.

 

"So, really he is unfortunate that he attracts a bit of attention to himself from yourselves.

 

"But for us he has come here and gone about his work very well on and off the pitch and he is adjusting to life at a new club with new philosophies and a new way of playing."

 

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