With reports that Andy Carroll could make a return back to former club Newcastle United, who could Carroll benefit more, Liverpool, Newcastle or another club?

Andy Carroll was the subject of a shock £35 million move to Liverpool on the eve of the January transfer window in 2011. His transfer fee is one that has been widely debated as to whether he was worth that amount or whether Liverpool under Kenny Dagliesh panicked in buying a striker. However is could be said that price tag has not been justified with the Geordie striker only scoring 6 goals in 42 games for the Anfield club after scoring many goals in a Newcastle shirt. Newcastle have already had one bid turned down for the striker and are considering whether to make an improved offer.

Firstly, Liverpool, who is now under the new guidance of Brendan Rodgers from Swansea. It was clear last season that Rodgers likes to play slick football with the ball being played on the floor. If Rodgers tries to emulate this philosophy at Liverpool, it may result in Carroll not being in the first team.  Carroll at 6 ft 3 is recognised as a target man and this was well documented at the recent European Championships with England. As this is the case, it would not match Rodgers’ style of football thus Carroll not being picked in the squad. With the recent signing of Fabio Borini from Roma and reports of Rodgers interested in Clint Dempsey from Fulham it could spell the end of Carroll’s short Liverpool career. Even before the new signings, Carroll had to compete for places with Suarez, Bellamy and the recently departed Dirt Kuyt. These players would be more adept to Rodgers’ style of play.

Andy Carroll

Now onto Newcastle. Carroll scored 31 goals in 80 appearances for the magpies, which is around a goal every two and a half games. He made his first team debut in 2006 against Palermo as a substitute, which made him become the youngest player to represent Newcastle in Europe. However, since the departure of Carroll, Newcastle has seen the arrival of attacking players such as Demba Ba, Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse. There is no doubt that both the arrival of Cisse and Ba hasn’t set not only Newcastle alight but also the Premiership with Cisse scoring 13 in 14 games and Ba scoring 16 in 34 games. With these two strikers scoring goals and both Sammy Ameobi and Shola Ameobi and midfielders such as Cabaye, Ben Arfa and Tiote chipping in with goals, is there need for a return for Andy Carroll. To some extent, yes. This is mainly due to the African Cup of Nations in January. Although only competed last January, the African Cup of Nations returns which means both Ba and Cisse with be travelling with Senegal. This then only leaves the Ameobi brothers who have not been proven prolific. Step forward Andy Carroll who could maybe not feel the void left by the Senegalese strikers but helped Newcastle in the beginning of the year. However but Carroll would only really be needed for January it would be better if the Geordies looked for a striker come the January transfer to join them on loan rather than splashing the cash for Carroll.

With Rodgers’ slick style of football it is hard to see where Carroll would fit in the Liverpool set up. With the arrival of Cisse and Ba it is also difficult to see him fitting in the Newcastle set up. Maybe a team like Stoke should acquire his services as they play the more direct football that suits Carroll.

Andy Carroll is 4/6 to change clubs with Paddy Power, however I do think Newcastle will not pay the demands Liverpool are asking so 11/10 for him not to change clubs looks a good bet.