LIVERPOOL MANAGER KENNY Dalglish has expended a great deal of energy this season countering criticism of Andy Carroll’s form and dedication.
His season-long insistence upon the club’s commitment to the striker was severely undermined this morning, however, with news of Liverpool’s recent attempt to broker a deal with Premier League rivals Manchester City that would have seen the 23-year-old depart Merseyside in exchange for Carlos Tevez.
According to the Guardian’s Daniel Taylor, City executive Brian Marwood refused to countenance the offer:
“The Anfield club contacted City on Thursday to ask how much they want for Tevez and whether they would be willing to contemplate a straight exchange with Carroll. Brian Marwood, the City football administrator, rebuffed the idea immediately, even though Carroll is a player Roberto Mancini has admitted admiring when he was at Newcastle.”
Unsettled since his £35 million transfer from Newcastle United a little under a year ago, Carroll – who has married an at times visible lack of fitness with an unflattering strike-rate in front of goal – has struggled to endear himself to the Merseyside faithful.
That Liverpool are willing to consider exchanging Carroll’s services for those of a striker with as lengthy a history of disobedience as Tevez indicates the extent to which the Tynesider’s stock has fallen in recent months.
