Carroll fails to lift Reds as Aviva dream dies
It was meant to be the day when a new hero was born at Anfield but instead Andy Carroll’s full debut turned into a huge disappointment, as Kenny Dalglish’s side were knocked out of the Europa League by unfashionable Portuguese side Braga.
There is a huge weight on Carroll’s shoulders following a £35m (€40m) transfer that almost everyone in football acknowledges was a fee way in excess of his value, and this was probably not how he imagined his first proper experience of a European night at Anfield would turn out, as the competition reaches the last eight stage without English or Italian representatives for the first time.
Liverpool were lacking in creativity and energy as Braga battled gamely to earn the draw that sent them into the next round, having already beaten Dalglish’s men 1-0 in the first leg; a result that now gives the club time for reflection and regrouping after what has been another hugely difficult season.
That’s not to say there should necessarily be any sense of depression at Anfield about the arrival of Carroll, no matter how much he cost.
There is undeniable talent in the big man’s left foot and his rampaging fearless style has grown men on the Kop misty-eyed about the days when all English strikers were built that way.
They like a hero here in Liverpool and if Carroll can reproduce the form and goals he showed on Tyneside then there is still every chance he will earn that title.
Certainly he has a far better chance of retaining the affection of the Kop than the last man tipped to become their darling; Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani.
When Aquilani first arrived from Roma, Liverpool fans unfurled a banner of the hit movie Gladiator — and replaced the picture of Russell Crowe in full body armour atop the Colosseum with one of their new signing below the message ‘A hero will rise’.
Unfortunately for Aquilani, who like Carroll was injured when he first landed on Merseyside, he took three months to make his debut, never cut the mustard and was hastily ushered out on loan to Juventus; that banner has not been seen since.
On last night’s evidence Carroll is unlikely to follow the same depressing path but there remain question marks about whether his hugely expensive arrival will have the kind of long-term impact that manager envisages.
He showed signs of real encouragement in an otherwise dull and disappointing game against Braga, out-muscling defenders, flinging himself into challenges and knocking down balls intelligently for his teammates.
He had one of the only chances of the first half when Joe Cole’s shot was saved and Carroll’s follow-up was agonisingly deflected for a corner; and he also had a penalty appeal and two headers narrowly off target.
But there were also moments to worry about, mainly because of the way his very presence encouraged lazy, long balls from many of Liverpool’s normally more thoughtful midfielders.
The painful fact was that with Carroll in the side Liverpool failed to perform against a combative Braga side who even posed occasional problems on the break and defended calmly and with organisation.
It will be interesting to see Carroll eventually partnered with Luis Suarez, who is ineligible in the Europa League and whose flair and energy was badly missed until David Ngog came off the bench to provide impetus.
There were a couple of moments of brightness; a header from Martin Skrtel that was well saved for instance; but in the end there was far more to forget than to remember.
Carroll will hope the same can never be said of him.
Reina 6, Johnson 6, Carragher 6, Skrtel 6, Wilson 5, Maxi 5 (Spearing 75; 6), Lucas 5, Meireles 6, Cole 6 (Ngog 75; 7), Carroll 7, Kuyt 6.
Artur Moraes 7, Miguel Garcia 7, Paulao 7, Rodriguez 7, Silvio 6 (Mossoro 89), Alan 6, Leandro Salino 7, Vandinho 6 (Kaka 73), Hugo Viana 7, Paulo Cesar 7, Lima 6 (Meyong 84).
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy)
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