Liverpool hope to unleash Carroll against Manchester United

Liverpool hope Andy Carroll will return from injury against their fiercest rivals, Manchester United, next month.

The £35 million record signing has been unable to play since arriving on transfer deadline day because of a thigh injury. He resumed light training last Friday and medical staff believe he could be available for the visit of United on March 6.

The prospect of seeing the 22-year-old forward in action against United will excite supporters and team-mates alike.

Defender Jamie Carragher believes Carroll and Luis Suárez, the £22.8 million signing who has so impressed in his two appearances, could form "the perfect partnership".

"I am really excited about seeing them together," Carragher said. "I was delighted we got them in and the club made a statement. Someone the size of Carroll and then Suárez running about him, it looks good."

He added that if the pair had "as big an impact on the club" as Kevin Keegan and John Toshack, "we will have done very well".

Such positivity is a welcome change for Carragher, who admits that the past 18 months has been one of the most difficult periods of his career.

The 33 year-old has endured two managerial changes, the battle for control of the club's boardroom, the loss of Champions League football and the departures of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres in the space of two years, and admits he is enjoying the rare wave of optimism Kenny Dalglish's appointment brought about.

"The last 18 months has been really tough coming home when we have not been doing too well," he said.

"Me and Stevie [Gerrard] are so emotionally involved that it is not a good thing - you probably get too involved and it affects your whole life. It has taken its toll on everyone.

"It is just great now that it is sorted and that pressure has lessened, now we look as if we are having a few results.

"People have started talking about the top four, but I'm just happy we're winning games. I'm not worrying about the league table."

Liverpool's director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, watched Newcastle United left-back José Enrique during the club's 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The Spaniard has yet to sign a new contract at St James' Park and has emerged as a candidate to fill one of Liverpool's problem positions.

Source: Telegraph

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