Rodgers: Carroll could go on loan

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has indicated that record signing Andy Carroll could leave Anfield on loan in the transfer window.

The former Swansea City boss has said he will use the club’s pre-season tour to analyse the 35 million pound striker before he makes any decision.

The 23-year-old target man, who is on holiday after playing for England at Euro 2012, is one of several players who will have to fight for his place under Rodgers.

When asked if Carroll could leave on loan, the Ulsterman told reporters: “It’s something I would have to look at, I have to be honest.

“Is it going to be beneficial for the club? That’s the most important thing. Sometimes a player going out on loan — in general, not just Andy — can benefit the club in the long term.

“It gets them game experience and they come back a better player, a more confident one – certainly more so than if they’ve been sitting on the bench for the majority of the season.

“He’s a good player, Andy. He’ll always be linked whether he’s here or not.

“I’ve spoken to him on his holiday, he’s a very good young player but I haven’t heard anything. It’s a bit broken this year because of the European Championships but it’ll just be a case of building a squad that can compete.”

Rodgers conceded that he was assessing the merits of every player in the squad, but hinted that Carroll may currently lack the right mentality to feature regularly for the Anfield side.

He continued: “Time will tell for him and all the players whether they are in my plans, but my job is to assess that. Like every player, there are certain styles and systems which will allow them to flourish.

“He’s no different to any player we have here, they might have all the attributes but not the mentality to play. He’s a good kid, a good lad, so we will just see how the formation of the group shapes up.

“We’ll have a look over the summer and go from there.”