Gerrard: Carroll gives us new dimension

Steven Gerrard believes Andy Carroll has added a 'new dimension' to Liverpool's attacking play.

The Reds skipper has been impressed with the 6ft 3ins frontman who scored his first England goal in last night's 1-1 draw with Ghana at Wembley.

"Andy's a big target man but one important thing to remember is that he's superb on the floor as well," he said.

"We have to be careful as a team we don't go too long too early. We have to keep passing the ball. Then if we are chasing the game we can be more direct.

"The reason we are so happy to have him is that we can mix it up. We can play in behind teams or play it long with Luis Suarez running off him.

"He gives us a whole new dimension. We believe now we've got the most feared strikeforce in the league."

Carroll is being touted to play in the European U21 Championships in Denmark this June and boss Stuart Pearce is also intending to call up Arsenal's Jack Wilshere.

Gerrard admits it's a tricky situation, trying to balance the benefits of being involved in such a tournament with the need for Carroll to rest after an injury-disrupted season.

"Tournament experience is vital when you're that age," Gerrard said.

"It's a difficult one and I've got to be careful that I don't upset my own manager Kenny Dalglish and Arsene Wenger.

"The important thing is that the FA speak to the two managers and the two players themselves and we go from there.

"The players have to have an input. It's their bodies. If they say they definitely want to play they should be able to play.

"But if they have an injury, a niggle or have maybe played too much you have to take that into consideration.

"It's about communication between the managers, the FA, the England manager and the players themselves and then a decision can be made."

Gerrard also reiterated his hopes of returning to action in the Reds' clash at West Brom on Saturday.

He said: "I'm hoping to be in full training on Thursday and available for selection for the weekend.

"It's up to Kenny whether he thinks I'm ready or not. I'm really looking forward to getting back."

Source: The Liverpool Echo

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