Andy Carroll Admits He Never Wanted Liverpool Move and Hoped to Fail His Medical
Former England striker Andy Carroll has revealed that joining Liverpool in 2011 was never his choice and that he actually hoped to fail his medical so he could return to Newcastle.
Carroll, now 37, became Liverpool’s record signing when he moved from Newcastle United to Anfield during the January 2011 transfer window. The striker had enjoyed an impressive first half of the season, scoring 11 goals in 20 appearances for Newcastle, which helped convince Liverpool to spend £35 million on him.
However, his time at Liverpool failed to live up to expectations. Carroll scored just 11 goals in 58 appearances for the Reds before eventually moving on.
In his new autobiography, Owning It, Carroll explained that Newcastle had effectively forced him into making the move.
According to Carroll, Newcastle told him that he could be pushed out of the first-team picture if he refused to submit a transfer request. After arriving in Liverpool, he went to Anfield for his medical but secretly hoped something would go wrong.
Carroll recalled thinking: “Please just fail this, and you can go home.”
Instead, he passed the medical without any problems and completed the £35 million transfer.
The former striker also claimed that Newcastle benefited financially from the situation. He said he later discovered that his transfer request allowed the club to retain 10 per cent of the fee that would otherwise have gone to him.
After signing, Carroll immediately called his parents. Rather than discussing the transfer with them beforehand, he said his first concern was simply telling them to pick up the family cat.
Carroll also revealed that he struggled emotionally during his Liverpool unveiling alongside Luis Suarez. He said he looked close to tears but felt pressured to convince supporters that he was happy to be at the club.
At the time, the popular narrative was that Carroll had deliberately pushed for a move away from Newcastle because he wanted to replace Fernando Torres at Liverpool.
However, Carroll strongly rejected that version of events, describing it as being “so far from the truth.”
He also criticised former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, accusing him of acting as owner Mike Ashley’s “puppet.”
Carroll’s Liverpool career ultimately failed to reach the heights expected after his record-breaking transfer. He later enjoyed a more productive spell with West Ham United before returning to Newcastle.
The 37-year-old continues to play football in non-league, currently with Dagenham & Redbridge, a club he also co-owns.
