West Ham striker Andy Carroll looking to derail Liverpool's title challenge
ANDY CARROLL will set out to damage his own pre-season prediction tomorrow when he faces former club Liverpool at Upton Park.
ON A MISSION: Andy Carroll will be out to upset his former Liverpool team-mates when the Reds visit Upton Park tomorrow [GETTY]
Back in August, when most pundits were wondering whether or not Brendan Rodgers has assembled a squad capable even of finishing in the top four, West Ham striker Carroll actually tipped Liverpool for the title.
With six games to go and the on-fire Reds looking down on all their rivals, Carroll's hunch now looks inspired.
He's still hoping, though, to bring Liverpool's eight-match winning Premier League run to a grinding halt.
The Hammers are in the form to spring a surprise and with Monday's 2-1 win at Sunderland virtually guaranteeing survival, what better way to celebrate than by toppling the table-toppers?
Whatever the outcome this weekend, however, Carroll reckons Liverpool will have the last laugh.
"You know, I said from the beginning that they had a great chance of winning the league," said the 25-year-old.
"I told all the lads they would win it.
"They were all ifs and buts, but I turned around and just said it. They'll back me up on that.
"I just had this feeling after they signed Daniel Sturridge, who's a great player.
"And having played with Luiz Suarez and knowing what he's like, having those two together, the way they connect, they're unbelievable and look unbeatable.
"Suarez is just incredible. Even after games he wants to train," Carroll added.
"He never stops running, never gives up and that's infectious.
"That's why all those around him are performing like they are.
"Liverpool are on fire right now and definitely the team to beat."
I KNEW THEY'D BE UP THERE: Carroll said at the start of the season that Liverpool would be challenging for the title and his prediction has come true [GETTY]
The Reds boss made it clear from the outset after his appointment in 2012 that a big target-man was not his idea of a centre forward.
But Carroll certainly doesn't feel he is missing out on what could be Liverpool's greatest season for 24 years.
The burly forward added: "Suarez and Sturridge up front are completely different to me.
"There's no bitterness at all. I joined West Ham and apart from the injury setbacks, I'm loving it.
"Everything has been great and I'm feeling very good, just getting into the stride of things again.
"It's been a frustrating season and tough at the beginning because nobody expected me to be out for as long as I was but I don't really want to talk about that."
Carroll's far more focussed on the future than the past with his sights firmly fixed on forcing his way into Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup.
He makes no secret of the fact it would break his heart if he misses out - having played and scored at Euro 2012.
The Hammers star said: "Yes, I'm thinking about it because that is what I want.
"I'll be devastated if I don't go to Brazil, but there are a lot of players out there fighting for my position so it's up to me to score goals and play well to get there."
Carroll knows that if Hodgson wants to play football the Liverpool way, then he's likely to miss out.
But as he proved at the Stadium of Light five days ago, when it comes to aerial supremacy, there's no-one better.
"My strength's in the air," he added.
"If the ball comes in, then I am confident I will get on the end of it. That's just me.
"But it all depends on your team. Liverpool don't put the ball in the way West Ham do."
ANDY CARROLL will set out to damage his own pre-season prediction tomorrow when he faces former club Liverpool at Upton Park.
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By Ian Murtagh/Published 4th April 2014
Back in August, when most pundits were wondering whether or not Brendan Rodgers has assembled a squad capable even of finishing in the top four, West Ham striker Carroll actually tipped Liverpool for the title.
With six games to go and the on-fire Reds looking down on all their rivals, Carroll's hunch now looks inspired.
He's still hoping, though, to bring Liverpool's eight-match winning Premier League run to a grinding halt.
The Hammers are in the form to spring a surprise and with Monday's 2-1 win at Sunderland virtually guaranteeing survival, what better way to celebrate than by toppling the table-toppers?
Whatever the outcome this weekend, however, Carroll reckons Liverpool will have the last laugh.
"You know, I said from the beginning that they had a great chance of winning the league," said the 25-year-old.
"I told all the lads they would win it.
"They were all ifs and buts, but I turned around and just said it. They'll back me up on that.
"I just had this feeling after they signed Daniel Sturridge, who's a great player.
"And having played with Luiz Suarez and knowing what he's like, having those two together, the way they connect, they're unbelievable and look unbeatable.
"Suarez is just incredible. Even after games he wants to train," Carroll added.
"He never stops running, never gives up and that's infectious.
"That's why all those around him are performing like they are.
"Liverpool are on fire right now and definitely the team to beat."
“You know, I said from the beginning that they had a great chance of winning the league”
Andy Carroll
There's not a hint of resentment from Carroll that his £35m move from hometown club Newcastle to Liverpool did not work out and that he was effectively ditched by Rodgers.Andy Carroll
The Reds boss made it clear from the outset after his appointment in 2012 that a big target-man was not his idea of a centre forward.
But Carroll certainly doesn't feel he is missing out on what could be Liverpool's greatest season for 24 years.
The burly forward added: "Suarez and Sturridge up front are completely different to me.
"There's no bitterness at all. I joined West Ham and apart from the injury setbacks, I'm loving it.
"Everything has been great and I'm feeling very good, just getting into the stride of things again.
"It's been a frustrating season and tough at the beginning because nobody expected me to be out for as long as I was but I don't really want to talk about that."
Carroll's far more focussed on the future than the past with his sights firmly fixed on forcing his way into Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup.
He makes no secret of the fact it would break his heart if he misses out - having played and scored at Euro 2012.
The Hammers star said: "Yes, I'm thinking about it because that is what I want.
"I'll be devastated if I don't go to Brazil, but there are a lot of players out there fighting for my position so it's up to me to score goals and play well to get there."
Carroll knows that if Hodgson wants to play football the Liverpool way, then he's likely to miss out.
But as he proved at the Stadium of Light five days ago, when it comes to aerial supremacy, there's no-one better.
"My strength's in the air," he added.
"If the ball comes in, then I am confident I will get on the end of it. That's just me.
"But it all depends on your team. Liverpool don't put the ball in the way West Ham do."
