The £35 million record signing has been unable to play
since arriving on transfer deadline day because of a thigh injury.
He resumed light training last Friday and medical staff believe he
could be available for the visit of United on March 6.
The prospect of seeing the 22-year-old forward in action against
United will excite supporters and team-mates alike.
Defender Jamie Carragher believes Carroll and Luis Suárez, the
£22.8 million signing who has so impressed in his two appearances,
could form “the perfect partnership”.
“I am really excited about seeing them together,” Carragher
said. “I was delighted we got them in and the club made a
statement. Someone the size of Carroll and then Suárez running
about him, it looks good.”
He added that if the pair had “as big an impact on the club” as
Kevin Keegan and John Toshack, “we will have done very well”.
Such positivity is a welcome change for Carragher, who admits
that the past 18 months has been one of the most difficult periods
of his career.
The 33 year-old has endured two managerial changes, the battle
for control of the club’s boardroom, the loss of Champions League football and the departures of Xabi Alonso,
Javier Mascherano and Fernando
Torres in the space of two years, and admits he is enjoying
the rare wave of optimism Kenny Dalglish’s appointment brought
about.
“The last 18 months has been really tough coming home when we
have not been doing too well,” he said.
“Me and Stevie [Gerrard] are so emotionally involved that it is
not a good thing — you probably get too involved and it affects
your whole life. It has taken its toll on everyone.
“It is just great now that it is sorted and that pressure has
lessened, now we look as if we are having a few results.
“People have started talking about the top four, but I’m just
happy we’re winning games. I’m not worrying about the league
table.”
Liverpool’s director of football strategy, Damien
Comolli, watched Newcastle United left-back José Enrique during the
club’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
The Spaniard has yet to sign a new contract at St James’ Park
and has emerged as a candidate to fill one of Liverpool’s problem
positions.
