• Premier League

Liverpool leave Carroll at home

ESPN staff
August 1, 2012
Andy Carroll has been linked with a move to West Ham or Newcastle © PA Photos
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Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has reportedly not made the trip to Belarus for Thursday's Europa League qualifier against FC Gomel, despite being named in the squad.

The news comes amid persistent rumours linking him with a move to West Ham or Newcastle. West Ham had a loan bid accepted for Carroll - but he was unwilling to join the Hammers, as he wants to play in European competition.

Newcastle, who Carroll left for Liverpool at a cost of £35 million in January 2011, would fit the bill after their shock run to fifth in the Premier League last season - and they have let strikers Peter Lovenkrands and Leon Best leave in recent weeks.

Carroll's involvement against Gomel would not have meant he was ineligible for the main stage of the Europa League in the event he joined another club. The BBC suggests he is suffering with a slight groin strain.

New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is said to be willing to let Carroll leave - ideally on a permanent basis; West Ham's accepted loan bid included an agreed fee at the end of the season - in order to fund raids for Fulham forward Clint Dempsey and Swansea midfielder Joe Allen.

Rodgers is without strikers Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy, both of whom are on Olympic duty, for the match with Gomel.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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