Andy Carroll

Gateshead-born Andy Carroll became Liverpool’s record signing when he was transferred from Newcastle United on January 31, 2011, after earning a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in British football. Former Liverpool and Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan once described the striker as ‘probably in the top three headers of a ball I have ever seen.’ He had moved into a pressure situation at Anfield, but was used to that on Tyneside, having been given the challenge of wearing Alan Shearer’s legendary number nine shirt. After graduating through the Newcastle Academy, he became the club’s youngest debutant when he played against Palermo in a 1-0 UEFA Cup win in 2006 at the age of 17, and his first senior goal came against Juventus in a friendly a year later. His first league goal came on his full home debut against West Ham in January 2009, and, after relegation from the top flight in 2008-09, he was inspirational in the club’s immediate promotion from the Championship, top-scoring with 19 goals. His performances earned him a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year. His first senior hat-trick came in a 6-0 trouncing of Aston Villa on August 22, 2010, and Fabio Capello called him up for his England debut against France three months later. His first England goal came in a friendly against Ghana at Wembley on March 29, 2011. By then he was a Liverpool player, having made his Anfield debut as substitute in a 3-1 victory over Manchester United 23 days earlier.
Maxi