Rodgers tells Carroll to leave or sit on the bench
ESPN staff
August 30, 2012
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Brendan Rodgers wants Andy Carroll to leave © PA Photos
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted he is still looking to sell Andy Carroll before the transfer window closes - because he is not his first-choice striker.
Carroll's future has been the subject of rampant and prolonged speculation throughout the summer, after Rodgers admitted that he had doubts about the £35 million forward's suitability to his tactical system at one of his first press conferences as Reds boss.
West Ham and Newcastle both subsequently expressed initial interest in the England international, but the Magpies' offer was dismissed - while Carroll reportedly refused a move to Upton Park.
The towering forward has since proven a useful substitute option for Liverpool in their opening competitive fixtures of the season, but Rodgers has now suggested that the club cannot afford to have such a valuable player on the bench for long.
As such, he feels it might be best for the player to leave if he wants regular first-team football.
When asked if Carroll would depart the club this week, the Daily Express quoted Rodgers as saying: "It is too early to say. I can only be straight with a player on where he stands.
"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see Andy has been a cover player for us.
"He has been excellent in terms of his attitude and his acceptance of where he is at. But I'm not sure we are in a position to have £35m players as third-choice strikers or wingers who might be on £6m a year. I don't think the club are in that position.
"The club needs to repair financially."
Rodgers' comments about wingers suggests the club will also look to move on the likes of Stuart Downing and Joe Cole before the transfer deadline, while Stoke City have reportedly made a bid for Charlie Adam.
West Ham have indicated they are still interested in a last-minute deal for Carroll, even though he has made it clear he does not want to leave Anfield.
The two clubs, though, have agreed a £20 million package should the England striker be convinced to change his mind.
That deal would see West Ham take Carroll on a season-long loan initially, paying his £80,000-a-week wages in full, and then sign him permanently for £17 million if they avoid relegation.
Rodgers admits he needs to sell before he can buy new players - with targets including Fulham forward Clint Dempsey and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott.
"I'm not in a position to buy without selling first," Rodgers noted. "This is an incredible club so players who come here, even if you want to move them on, are not just going to walk out of the door."
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