Liverpool FC: Andy Carroll Bringing out the Best in the Liverpool Team?
By
(Correspondent) on March 27, 2012
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Andy Carroll has had a very difficult start to his Liverpool career.
He has faced criticism from all quarters—the fans, the analysts and the media.
A total goal count of eight goals from over 40 matches just lends credibility to all the criticism that he has faced.
However, of late there has been a slight improvement in his performances. But, the goals have not started flowing in—barring a goal in the League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and another in a 6-1 demolition of Brighton in the FA Cup.
However, if one compares the record over the past seven matches that Andy Carroll has started against the past seven where he hasn't, it makes for an interesting reading.
Do you believe that Carroll has a future at Liverpool
· Yes
61.7%
· Too early to say
19.1%
· No
19.1%
Total votes: 209
Games where Andy Carroll has started : W; W; D; W; D; W; W.
Games where Andy Carroll has not started : D; D; L; L; L; L; L.
So, this means Liverpool have not lost in the last seven matches that Carroll has started, and likewise, have not won in the last seven that he has not started.
Seems to be a strange fact as Andy Carroll has barely been one of the best players on the pitch for Liverpool in any of the matches.
One could argue that among the last seven matches that he has started, four have been in the Cup games. But it's not Andy's fault that he has started more often in the Cup games, as compared to the League games.
And even in these seven games, Carroll has scored only twice—one against the Wolves, and one against Brighton.
So, is this mere coincidence or is there more to Andy being in the team.
Not if you look at the statistics over the course of the season.
Liverpool have played 40 and have won 50% of those matches this season, but have won 13 of the 22 that Carroll has started, giving a win percentage of 59% with Carroll as the starter.
One could argue that many of those matches would be against non-League opponents such as Oldham and Brighton.
So, lets look at another statistic. Liverpool's performance against the clubs who are currently placed above it in the Premier League.
Liverpool has won five of the eight games against such sides when Carroll has started, and only one of six when he hasn't.
So, what could be the reason of such non-intuitive statistics.
Liverpool always seemed to struggle whenever Andy was on field. They also seemed to play a game based on crosses more than the pleasing pass-and-play style whenever Big Andy was on the field.
Next Keegan and Toshack? - Not yet
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
The answer may lie in the players who play around Carroll in the Liverpool team.
Carroll's attacking partner, Luis Suarez is more of a creator of chances and always likes to play with someone in the front-line rather than alone as the sole striker.
Carroll's presence provides Suarez with a greater freedom to play his natural game utilizing his skills to the fullest.
Also, even if Andy is not in the best of forms, he does provide that physical presence in the box, which the opposition defence cannot ignore.
So, the opposition does need to focus on the tall striker, which sometimes provides an opportunity to Carroll's team mates to create goal-scoring chances.
When brought in, many people dreamt of Carroll forming a deadly partnership with Luis Suarez similar to the legendary Keegan and Toshack.
Though, this partnership is nothing close to what Keegan and Toshack achieved for Liverpool, but one should not rule out the big No.9 yet.
With Liverpool effectively out of the running for Champions League football next season, the Reds can use this opportunity to provide Big Andy with a decent run of games, something that he has not enjoyed in his Liverpool career.
A striker's game is greatly dependent on his confidence and if Carroll gets a decent run and starts scoring, who knows?
Liverpool could even get themselves the No. 9 that they wanted.
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