Dalglish approves of Carroll lifestyle

Kenny Dalglish has defended striker Andy Carroll against Fabio Capello’s claims the former Geordie’s lifestyle is having an adverse effect on his fitness.

The Liverpool striker was left out of Capello’s squad for England’s Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria last Friday and was brought on in the 89th minute of their 1-0 win over Wales at Wembley on Tuesday.

Capello this week criticised Carroll’s lifestyle saying: “If he wants to be a good player and a good sportsman, he needs to drink less than the others. He is not at the top of his form at the moment.”

But Liverpool boss Dalglish said he had no concerns over the 22-year-old’s condition.

“I think Andy is very appreciative of advice from anybody who has got a good standing in football,” Dalglish said.

“I think he appreciates Fabio Capello’s advice because he’s got great respect for Fabio Capello and I think Fabio Capello has great respect for Andy Carroll.”

“So for us, as we’ve said often enough but falls on deaf ears, Andy was not properly fit last year because of a knee injury and we’ve been very pleased with his level of fitness this year because he’s lost that knee injury.”

“I think his fitness would stand up against anybody’s, I mean you just have to look at the game the other night, he was running as quickly at the end of the game as he was when he started it.”