Former record Liverpool signing Andy Carroll has opened up about “falling apart” after leaving Anfield for West Ham. The striker today plays for Bordeaux, who are in the fourth tier of French football after losing their professional status.
Carroll became Liverpool’s then-most-expensive signing in the club’s history during January 2011, when the Reds forked out £35 million for his transfer from Newcastle United. It was also the window that saw Luis Suarez arrive from Ajax.
While the Uruguayan flourished, life on Merseyside did not go as well for Carroll. The attacker lifted the 2012 League Cup at Liverpool but managed just 11 goals in 58 outings and was moved on to West Ham for £15m by Brendan Rodgers following a year-long loan spell at the Hammers.
What followed in London was six years of injury frustration which included torn ligaments, persistent knee problems and two ankle operations. He did manage to play 142 games but around two-thirds of them came in his first three seasons.
Carroll has now spoken candidly about that period in his career, which lasted until his return to Newcastle in 2019. “It was a really tough time in my life, really,” the 35-year-old told Foot Mercato.
“It was a stressful time for me. I was down in the dumps, everything was dark. It was hard to get back up. I was just falling apart and making bad decisions and mistreatment and bad things. It was just really tough.
“As a player, you just want to be out there and playing. But sometimes you hear stories, people saying, ‘oh, he’s still injured’, ‘he should retire’ and things like that that are not nice.
“At that point, you’re in a hole, in your shell and you’re just trying to get out of it, because it can be dangerous. Luckily, I managed to get out of it and I had a more positive ending. So now I just love playing football.”
Former England international Carroll recently revealed how it is costing him money to play for Bordeaux, who declared bankruptcy this summer. After leaving Newcastle in 2021 and going on to play for Reading (twice) and West Brom, the Gateshead-born forward landed at Ligue 2 outfit Amiens last year.
He played four times for the club this term before sealing his free move to Bordeaux. Four goals in two matches has got him rekindling his passion for the game once more.
“I feel good,” Carroll added. “It’s much quieter here than in England. Just walking around the streets and relaxing in a restaurant is a lot. Here I can just enjoy my life and my football to the fullest.”
