by Liverpool have a very good track record when it comes to spending big in the transfer market.
Of course, it’s impossible to get it right every time, but the Reds have had a much better strike rate than most over the years.
Just take a look at Liverpool’s most expensive transfers in their history. The Reds don’t miss very often.
However, there were still costly failures at Anfield. That’s just the nature of the business.
One of the biggest flops in Liverpool history is Andy Carroll. The ponytailed striker was the Reds’ record signing when he moved from Newcastle for £35million in January 2011.
But after 58 appearances and just 11 goals for Liverpool, Carroll was out just 18 months later. Almost 14 years later, the now 35-year-old looks back on his time on Merseyside.
Andy Carroll has no regrets about Liverpool
The time when Carroll signed and played for Liverpool feels like a different world now.
It wasn’t a particularly good time at Anfield and, although Kenny Dalglish led the Reds to two domestic cup finals in 2012, trophies were incredibly difficult to come by.
Since Jürgen Klopp hasn’t yet come in and been able to really restore the feel-good factor in the club, things were often a bit gloomy at Liverpool.
Carroll’s failed big money push contributed to this feeling and became symbolic of the dysfunction that seemed to reverberate at the time.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s most expensive transfer sales ever
Carroll himself has admitted that he never wanted to move to Liverpool and speaking to The Athletic on the subject, the former England striker reiterated that stance.
“Would I have preferred to stay in Newcastle? It’s my hometown club all day long,” says Carroll.
However, the big frontman also admitted that while it wasn’t his decision to leave Newcastle for Liverpool, he has no regrets.
“But I don’t regret going to Liverpool, I don’t regret anything,” he adds. “It made me who I am, it made me stronger. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Andy Carroll should change his mind about Liverpool
While it’s in some ways encouraging to hear that Carroll doesn’t hold any grudges against the time he spent at Liverpool, we think perhaps he should.
Arriving as a record signing is no easy feat for any player, but Carroll – who now plays with Bordeaux in the fourth tier of French football – seemed almost determined to make life difficult for himself from the start.
In our opinion, the striker had the world at his feet after moving to one of the biggest clubs in the world and his failure to capitalize should be looked back on as a huge missed opportunity.
Carroll was clearly good enough to have more influence at Liverpool. His performance during the 2012 FA Cup Final almost single-handedly took the trophy out of Chelsea’s hands and into Liverpool’s hands.
He did well at West Ham and if he had tried a little harder he could have been a success at the Reds. Andy may not have one, but we have huge regrets about his career at Liverpool.
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