There is no way Brendan Rodgers will allow Newcastle United to take Andy Carroll back on loan, just 19 months after Liverpool paid them £35million for him.
Since splashing out the club record fee in January 2011, the England international has scored just six goals in 42 league appearances for the Reds. And Rodgers, who succeeded Kenny Dalglish as Anfield boss earlier this summer, has hinted that he would be prepared to let the 23-year-old leave before the 31 August deadline.
Alan Pardew would love to take Carroll back to St James Park, and it has been widely reported that the striker would jump at the chance of a return to his hometown. However, the Magpies want to sign him on an initial loan deal for the duration of this season, with the view to a permanent transfer next year.
Such an offer has enraged Rodgers, who acknowledges that he does not have enough depth in his own ranks to allow a member of his first team squad to join a Premier League rival on a temporary basis – and particularly not to the Tyneside club.
“There is absolutely no chance [of a loan deal] – and certainly not Newcastle,” he said. “Newcastle got £35million for this player last year. To even consider wanting to take him on loan is a liberty really. We have got a very small squad as it is. We have lost a lot of players this summer and I have not replaced them, as of yet.
“That is the reality of where we are. I need a minimum of three strikers. Once the window shuts, that is it until January. I have got (Luis) Suarez, Fabio Borini, and Andy Carroll. I would need to be a nutcase even to consider at this moment to let Carroll go out, unless there are other solutions for that.”
Martin Skrtel, meanwhile, is certainly staying on Merseyside after he agreed a new contract last week, and Rodgers expects his defensive partner Daniel Agger to do likewise. It has been reported that Manchester City have failed with two bids for the Danish international this summer, but the Reds boss is not expecting a third offer.
“I can’t see anything at this stage to be honest,” Rodgers said. “Like every player in the group, if someone comes in with a big, big offer then that might be out of my hands in relation to the club and where it is at with finances. But I have never thought that I was going to lose Daniel. Secondly, he doesn’t want to go.”
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