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Carroll determined to become Liverpool success

Andy Carroll is determined to stay at Anfield © Getty Images

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Liverpool's record signing Andy Carroll has dismissed suggestions he is set to leave Anfield after enduring a lean first 12 months with the club.

Carroll, bought for £35 million from Newcastle, has been the subject of intense speculation about his future after a tough first 12 months on Merseyside. Having been linked with a return to his former club, reports emerged on Saturday that he had been offered to Manchester City in a swap deal with Carlos Tevez.

Liverpool have refused to comment on the story, insisting they never do on transfer speculation, and Carroll has stressed his head has not been turned by rumours about such moves.

"The club has been great with me and everyone outside the club has been fantastic and I am enjoying it down here. Everyone has backed me and helped us along the way. I have signed a contract here and this is the team I am playing for."

Carroll has been stoutly defended by manager Kenny Dalglish ever since his shock arrival on January deadline day last year. However, injury affected the latter half of last season and he has not yet found his form - or a regular starting spot - with just six goals in 36 appearances for the club.

But he played a key part for both goals in Liverpooll's 2-1 FA Cup fourth round win over arch-rivals Manchester United at Anfield.

For Daniel Agger's header he was the main distraction for goalkeeper David de Gea, who failed to get anywhere near Steven Gerrard's corner, while his flick-on sent Dirk Kuyt through for the winner with two minutes remaining after Park Ji-Sung had equalised shortly before half-time.

"I thought I had did well and everyone else did but I've got to keep working on it and it will come," admitted Carroll.

"I am just getting into my stride now. Everyone is getting used to how I play and I am getting used to everyone else. Everyone is helping us as much as they can and I just need to get going.

"I thought everyone played well and we deserved the win really. Everyone put a shift in and got what we wanted out of it at the end.

"Obviously it was nice to get an assist but it doesn't really matter who sets them up or scores them really, as long as we get through like we did with everyone playing well.

"Manchester United came here and all the lads were buzzing for this game and it showed as everyone was up for it and we got the result we wanted."

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