Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers: I will decide Andy Carroll’s future

Brendan Rodgers insists he will have the final say on Andy Carroll’s future at Liverpool amid Newcastle United’s interest in the England striker.

The 23-year-old has scored 11 goals in 56 appearances for the Reds after completing a £35m move from the Magpies to Anfield in January 2011.

Rodgers replaced Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool manager in May, prompting speculation that the former Swansea City manager would deem Carroll surplus to requirements at the Merseyside outfit.

“I don’t know Andy as a person,” Rodgers told Sky Sports. “He is here to get fit.

“Whatever comes in for any player I will always listen but ultimately I will decide the way I want to shape the group and, whether that is Andy or any other player, I will have the freedom to shape the group.”

Rodgers already missed out on Gylfi Sigurdsson earlier this summer after the Iceland international declined the chance to link up with his former Swans manager and instead opted to join Tottenham Hotspur.

However, the Northern Irishman is pursuing another Swansea player, Joe Allen, and the Liverpool boss revealed there has been contact with the Welsh club over the possibility of signing the Team GB midfielder.

“We have just spoken with Swansea,” Rodgers added. “I have got a brilliant relationship with Huw Jenkins the chairman. We have had a private conversation which will remain private.

“On the back end of that there has been lots of media speculation and gossip of which unfortunately some of it is not true. Joe is a very talented player but he is a Swansea player.”

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Read more on: Andy Carroll, Brendan Rodgers, Football transfers, joe allen, Liverpool, Premier League, swansea city.