Out-of-form Liverpool targetman Andy Carroll has revealed privately that he is finding it difficult to deal with the pressure of the £35 million price tag that Liverpool has put on him, making him the most highly valued British footballer.
The former Newcastle United hitman has failed miserably in the league this season and has now become a symbol of Liverpool's entire struggling season by finding the back of the net just three times in the league. Carroll's last league goal for the Reds came in January against the Wolves. However, the striker has failed to connect since then.
Although the 23-year-old is working hard to find his rhythm at Anfeild, he has admitted to his friends that its been a struggle for him to cope with all the attention. The pressure of the hefty price tag has taken its toll on his form as well, after Liverpool shocked the Premier League by paying a massive amount to bring in the finisher.
According to a Daily Mail report, one of Carroll's friends said that the player is not unhappy at Anfield and still thinks manager Kenny Dalglish has been most supportive to his cause and that he can again deliver for the Reds in time. But, on the other hand, he also feels that his best form will continue to evade him until he can forget about the massive transfer amount Liverpool paid for him.
Andy Carroll, while at St James' Park with Newcastle United, made 91 appearances and managed to score 33 times in all competitions. Carroll finished the 2010 season with Liverpool by becoming the club's top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions and 17 in the league.
Elsewhere, manager Kenny Dalglish is set to leave out some of his main men on the bench for the game against Blackburn that will be played at Ewood Park when the visitors take on relegation threatened hosts. Dalglish will be looking to hold back his key men for their upcoming FA Cup semi-final game against Merseyside rivals Everton on Saturday.
Skipper Steven Gerrard is likely to sit out the game while frontmen Luis Suarez and defender Daniel Agger are also expected to be rested before the big FA Cup game against the rivals.