Dalglish backs 'focused' Carroll

2011-03-31 15:02:55

Carroll scored his first goal for England against Ghana

31 March 2011 Last updated at 12:34

Share this page print Kenny Dalglish backs 'focused' Andy Carroll

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes Andy Carroll is "focused" on football after the striker scored his first goal for England on Tuesday.

Fabio Capello advised Carroll, 22, to "drink less" prior to handing the former Newcastle man his second England start in the 1-1 draw with Ghana.

But Dalglish is confident his £35m signing is concentrating on his career.

"Andy is focused on his football. I would expect him to focus on it to get to where he is," said Dalglish.

Carroll has had off the field problems in the past. In October 2010 he pleaded guilty to an assault charge after an incident at a Newcastle nightclub and was fined £1,000 and two months later a charge of assaulting his former girlfriend was dropped.

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Carroll needs more games - Capello

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However, Dalglish refused to be drawn on whether he would oppose Carroll playing for the Under-21s, adding: "We'll wait to see if he is picked first but I can't answer the question until it has happened so I can't see the point in discussing it."

Capello replaced Carroll with Jermain Defoe after 59 minutes against Ghana but said no deal had been struck with the Anfield club over how long Carroll should be involved.

England's last friendly at Wembley in November against France led to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard sidelined for a month having sustained a hamstring strain after playing longer than the club believed they had agreed he should.

That was under the tenure of former Reds manager Roy Hodgson, who Liverpool will meet on Saturday when they come up against his new club West Brom, but there were no complaints from Dalglish about Capello's use of his Liverpool players.

"The way England treated our players was fantastic," said Dalglish. "They gave Andy the hour knowing it wouldn't have been beneficial to play him any longer.

"They gave Glen [Johnson] 45 minutes because he has a slight problem with an Achilles.

"I thought they were very professional and respectful with the way they treated our players."

Also related to this story England 1-1 Ghana 29 Mar 2011 Sport VideoCarroll needs more games - Capello 30 Mar 2011 Sport Capello warns Carroll over drink 29 Mar 2011 Sport Carroll seals switch to Liverpool 31 Jan 2011 Sport Footballer assault charge dropped 12 Dec 2010 Tyne & Wear Carroll must be nurtured - Nolan 14 Dec 2010 Sport $render("page-see-also","ID"); Share this story Share this page print

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