Brendan Rodgers will not make a decision on Andy Carroll's Liverpool future until the end of the season. The striker, signed by Kenny Dalglish for €27 million in January 2011, has spent the season on loan at West Ham after Rodgers deemed him not to be part of his plans for the current campaign following his arrival from Swansea.
Reports in the national media suggest Carroll will be sold by the Reds this summer, with Liverpool prepared to cut their losses if any club is willing to meet a €12million valuation. When asked about Carroll’s future, Rodgers told Fox Sports: “It’s nothing to discuss now. It’s something we’ll speak about at the end of the season.”
England international Carroll, 24, has scored five goals in 17 appearances for the Hammers, including a double in last weekend's win over West Brom. And Rodgers has kept a close eye on his progress while away from Anfield.
Rodgers said: “We’ve monitored it very closely. We’ve had representatives from Liverpool at most of the games. It’s obviously been a difficult season for Andy because his initial idea was he wanted to go out and play every week, but unfortunately for him he’s picked up some injuries since he’s been away.
“But he scored two very good goals at the weekend and he’ll be looking to finish the season on a high and achieve the objectives he wanted to before he went out.”
Liverpool have also confirmed they will hold a minute’s silence before Sunday’s game against West Ham as a mark of respect for the 96 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster. The Anfield clash with the Hammers is the final home game before the 24th anniversary of the tragedy, which will be the first since the Hillsborough Independent Review published its findings.
In September the panel concluded that no Liverpool fans were responsible in any way for the disaster, and a lack of police control was the main cause. The annual memorial service will be held on Monday, April 15th at Anfield at 2.45pm.
Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, told the club website: ”Every day we remember those who lost their lives. During the service we will light a candle for each and every life that was extinguished prematurely and the eternal flame of the Hillsborough memorial will continue to light our way through the darkest days.
”For many, April 15th may be a working day and there will be those who are unable to attend. We invite you to join us in thought and spirit and keep us in your prayers at this difficult time.”
