Carroll needs to play - Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested record signing Andy Carroll could still have a future at Anfield despite leaving on loan.

The £35million England striker has joined West Ham on a season-long deal after a summer of intense speculation over his future. Carroll, a deadline day signing by former boss Kenny Dalglish in January 2011, has failed to command a regular place during his time at Anfield and had also been linked with a return to former club Newcastle.

Although it is clear Carroll does not fit into Rodgers' immediate plans, the new manager insists the club are not writing off their investment, and said: "I believe it has been difficult for him in his period here. He hasn't played anywhere near as regularly as he wanted to and he wanted this to be a season where he was going to be playing regularly."

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