Barton believes Carroll can shine

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has backed former team-mate Andy Carroll to shine at Liverpool.

Carroll moved to Anfield for 35 million pounds in January but a calf injury saw him remain on the sidelines for the first six weeks at the Reds.

He scored twice in eight appearances, the brace coming against Manchester City on April 11, before missing the latter stages of the English Premier League season with a knee injury.

Barton, whose future at St James’ Park remains unclear after it was revealed he would not sign a new contract beyond the upcoming campaign, said he expected his former team-mate to impress.

“It’s always difficult when you go to a new football club and you’re not fully fit,” he told Liverpool TV on Thursday.

“He had a niggling injury when they signed him. He’ll be looking to get pre-season under his belt and look to kick on and show Liverpool what an asset they’ve acquired.”

The 28-year-old said Carroll had no choice but to leave Newcastle after the offer from Liverpool came in and he wished him well.

“He’s a great lad and we were all gutted to see him leave Newcastle but it was a no-brainer, really. He had to go and test himself at a fantastic football club with great tradition,” Barton said.

“I stay in touch and we’re all wishing him well, but not when he plays against us.”

Barton has been linked with a move away from Newcastle over the last month, including potential switches to Arsenal and Tottenham.

He attended a golf event hosted by the Steven Gerrard Foundation in Portugal last week and was full of praise for the Liverpool captain.

“For my generation he’s probably as gifted a player as there has been in the Premier League, if not Europe, if not the world,” Barton said.

“We’re fortunate in this era to have a lot of good players and Stevie is at the top of that tree.”

“A lot of good players have strengths in one area and weaknesses in other. Stevie has a lot of strengths and very few weaknesses.”

“He’s very, very difficult to play against and that’s the reason he’s regarded as highly as he is in world football.”