Mancini denies Liverpool approach

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has denied having any contact with Liverpool over a potential swap involving Carlos Tevez and Andy Carroll.

Liverpool were reported to have offered City the chance to let Tevez leave in exchange for Carroll, approaching City football administrator Brian Marwood concerning their proposal.

The alleged offer is thought to have been turned down and now Mancini has said he had no knowledge of the potential deal.

“I never heard of this,” Mancini said.

“Carroll is a good player, he is young and strong but it would be difficult and I don’t think (it is going to happen).”

“There was no phone call to me. I don’t know if Brian Marwood was involved. I just read it in the newspaper. I didn’t speak to Marwood about this.”

Tevez has been frozen out of the City squad since allegedly refusing to go on as a substitute during a Champions League game against Bayern Munich in September.

The Argentine was widely expected to walk away from the club during the January transfer window, but he remains a City player.

“My opinion about Carlos is that it is important he finds a good solution because he can stay for a year without playing. It is important that he plays, he is a top player,” Mancini said.