Carroll reveals he warned Hart he would score ahead of game
Andy Carroll knew he was going to open his Anfield account against Manchester City...just ask their keeper Joe Hart.
The pair have become firm friends during their time together with the England squad, and spent the time leading up to Monday night's game.
And Hart can't say he wasn't warned the Liverpool striker would find the net, because Carroll spent the last week telling his close friend he was destined to score.
The international centre forward had endured something of a drought since his record arrival on Merseyside, but he knew he was about the break the drought, and was confident enough to tell Hart exactly how he'd do it.
Still beaming after making a dramatic impact in front of his home crowd to strengthen his position as a new Kop idol, the Geordie explained:"I gave Joe a message before the game and told him I was going to score - it was unbelievable!
"He was giving me a bit of banter but I'm just happy we got the three points and I got my first goal. I'm really happy with that.
"All the lads played well but obviously I got the goals I've been wanting, although the hat-trick would have been nice.
"I'm here to score goals. Everyone has been having a good bit of banter and we were really looking forward to playing City. The team spirit here is great."
Carroll struck twice, adding a fine header to a lethal left foot drive that swerved and dipped to left poor Hart for dead, and cursing his pal in the process.
The goals keep Liverpool's dreams of a European place next season alive, and also confirm there is far more to the towering striker's game than merely a traditional centre forward's role.
He is adamant he should not be typecast as a target man, because he has many more facets to his game than simply trading on long balls.
"I'd like to think there is a lot more to me than just that. "I think I create a lot of goals and chances. I work hard, I'm not selfish in front of goal, and I can play different styles," he insisted.
Liverpool still have City in their sights as they continue their unlikely pursuit of fourth place, but even though that is still very much a distant dream, the striker is not worried by the threat to his club's European status.
Unless they can overhaul Spurs in fifth place, there are no guarantees they will reach even the Europa League, never mind their natural Champions' league home.
But Carroll is convinced that will not affect the long term future of the club, nor boss Kenny Dalglish's summer recruitment drive.
"There are massive names here, it's a massive club and I don't see why we can't attract big names," the England forward added.
"We're just putting a team together now. Me and Luis Suarez are new, John Flanagan played his first game at the back - it shows what we can do for next season."
For all the fact that the British record £35million signing stole the show, it was the quietly confident display of Flanagan on his debut that charmed most Kop regulars.
Carlos Tevez is facing a two-week lay-off
Carlos Tevez is facing a two-week lay-off after pulling a hamstring in the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool that dented City’s top-four hopes.
But an even bigger blow is the news he remains unsettled as reports in Italy suggested Inter Milan are keen on a deal of £30million plus striker Gabriel Milito.
Tevez stunned City with a transfer request last December, blaming the breakdown in his relationship with the club’s chief executive Garry Cook and football administrator Brian Marwood, whom he claimed had reneged on promises of an improved contract. It was also suggested that he was missing his daughters, who live with his estranged wife in Argentina. But, following talks, he withdrew his request a week later and on several occasions since has insisted he is happy at City.
However it is understood Tevez is still far from certain of seeing out the remaining three years of a five-season contract.
If City fail to qualify for the Champions League, that could speed up his departure, with manager Roberto Mancini’s position under scrutiny. The possible departure of leading scorer Tevez would be a hammer blow for City fans who have taken him to their hearts after his switch from Manchester United.
But his ill-timed hamstring injury has undermined hopes of overcoming United at Wembley and reaching a first major final for three decades. At least Gareth Barry has promised that City will bounce back from their miserable night at Anfield on Monday. He said: “It should be easy to pick ourselves up because this is such a huge match, a semi-final at Wembley against United.” Express
Inter Milan hope to snap up Tevez - leaving Man City open to sign Udinese star Sanchez
Carlos Tevez could be part of a transfer merry-go-round if Inter Milan get their way and sign the Manchester City star.
Tevez, who is out of action for the next few weeks with a hamstring strain, is wanted by Inter, who would be prepared to pull out of the bidding for Udinese's Alexiz Sanchez if they sign the Argentine.
Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reports that if City accept Inter's offer of £25m for Tevez, they will bow out of the race to sign Sanchez and pave the way for City to make a move for Sanchez.
Roberto Mancini has reportedly long been an admirer of the 22-year-old and with Inter stepping down their bid to sign him in a 'gentlemen's agreement', City would be firm favourites to acquire Sanchez's signature.
Tevez's possible arrival at the San Siro could also see his international team mate Diego Milito leave Italy, with Real Madrid keen on the striker. talkSHYTE
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has dismissed reports of a £40m move to Manchester City by tweeting a picture of himself kissing the Gunners badge and stating: "This club is in my heart".Jack Wilshere on Twitter:
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United have agreed to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea for 20m euros (£17.8m) on a five-year contract, according to Spanish radio station Onda Cero. (AS Spanish)
Chelsea are set to sign Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht for 30m euros (£26.7m) at the end of the season. Marca (Spanish)
Barcelona forward Nolito is being tracked by QPR and Newcastle after rejecting a contract extension at the Nou Camp. Metro
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is planning a bid for tough-tackling Galatasaray defender Servet Cetin, whose Ayibogan nickname translates as "a man who could choke a bear". Daily Mirror
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt will sign a new contract this week that will keep him at the Merseyside club until 2014. Daily Mail
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have revealed that newspaper giant the New York Times Company is the second largest shareholder in the club, with a stake of more than 10%. Daily Mirror
Former Newcastle legend Alan Shearer says he has had interviews for managerial vacancies and was not put off by his experience in charge of the Magpies. Daily Mail
Benni McCarthy has taken a £1.5m pay-off to terminate his West Ham contract early, having failed to score in 14 games since his £2.2m move from Blackburn in January 2010.Daily Mail
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits his future is out of his hands after the team's exit from the Champions League on Tuesday. Daily Telegraph
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has repeated that his managerial future definitely lies back in England but says he hopes to see out the remaining three years of his Madrid contract before then. the Independent
Rangers manager Walter Smith says the future of some of his unsettled players could remain in limbo until the question of the club's ownership is resolved. the Independent
Bolton's players have been to Wembley to familiarise themselves with the venue before Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Stoke. Daily Mirror
A suspected Naples gangster has told Italian prosecutors Diego Maradona's Golden Ball award for being player of the tournament at the 1986 World Cup was melted down to make gold bars. (Daily Record)
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