• Premier League

Dalglish accuses media of Carroll agenda

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has taken a swipe at the media for focusing too much on misfiring striker Andy Carroll.

Carroll has made 16 Premier League appearances this season, mustering 38 shots and only two goals. Another wasteful display in the disappointing home draw with basement club Blackburn Rovers had the press pointing the finger once more.

"I don't think self-belief is a problem for Andy Carroll, I don't see why it should be,'' Dalglish said. "There's nothing to say he's short of belief and there is no evidence he should be.

"One game he played (started) in we went down to nine men (the defeat at Tottenham) and another (the loss at Fulham) we had another sent off.

"I think yourselves (the media) have a bigger problem with Andy than anyone else. This week is understandable because it is against Newcastle but I don't understand the rest of the stuff.

"I think somebody has got some imagination about the lifestyle that big Andy leads compared to the one that we know he leads.

"So, really, he is unfortunate that he attracts a bit of attention to himself from yourselves. But, for us, he has come here and gone about his work very well on and off the pitch and is adjusting to life at a new club with new philosophies and a new way of playing."

Dalglish also said the club were still awaiting the arrival of the written verdict from Luis Suarez's disciplinary commission which banned the striker for eight matches.

"We'll tell you when they arrive - I think they'll come on the [FA] website first,'' said the Reds boss, who added they had not received any news on a date for Suarez's misconduct hearing for allegedly making an offensive gesture to Fulham fans earlier this month.

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