Andy Carroll Reveals Regret Over Liverpool Transfer and Personal Struggles

Andy Carroll has revealed he wished to fail his medical upon signing for Liverpool, detailing a period of misery on Merseyside and personal struggles with alcohol. In his new book, 'Owning It,' the 37-year-old striker claims Newcastle United pressured him into a £35 million transfer in January 2011, making him a record signing for the Reds.

Carroll, who now co-owns non-league club Dagenham and Redbridge with YouTuber KSI, stated that Newcastle presented him with an ultimatum: hand in a transfer request or risk not playing for his boyhood club again. He also learned that by submitting a transfer request, Newcastle would retain 10% of the transfer fee, which would have otherwise gone to him.

"After landing in Liverpool, we went straight to Anfield, where I had my medical," Carroll wrote. "I kept thinking, 'Please just fail this and you can go home.' But I passed with flying colours."

He described his unveiling alongside Luis Suárez as a moment where he "looked like I wanted to cry," despite attempting to convey enthusiasm to Liverpool fans who had paid a significant fee for him and handed him the iconic number 9 shirt.

Carroll refutes the narrative that he forced the move to replace Fernando Torres, calling the suggestion "so far from the truth as to be almost laughable" and suggesting then-manager Alan Pardew was a "puppet" for owner Mike Ashley.

Struggles with Alcohol and Lifestyle Choices

The striker also addressed his issues with alcohol, which he says intensified after receiving his first significant pay raise. He admitted to spending time in bars, strip clubs, and casinos, often buying rounds of shots. While he stated alcohol did not turn him into a violent person, he acknowledged that a high-profile footballer frequenting such establishments was bound to attract trouble.

Carroll reflected on a career that saw him play for seven more clubs after Liverpool, including West Ham, West Brom, and a return to Newcastle, as well as a stint in France with Bordeaux. He contrasted his own lifestyle with that of disciplined athletes like Harry Kane, attributing his own choices to a desire for a more "everyday life" involving nights out with friends, holidays, and music festivals, acknowledging that such a lifestyle is often incompatible with elite sporting success.

Admission of Sexual Assault

Elsewhere in his book, Carroll disclosed a traumatic experience of being sexually assaulted by a "celebrity mate" several years ago. He recounted an incident after a Newcastle United game where a friend of his former partner invited himself over. Feeling uncomfortable and after having a few drinks, Carroll went to bed, only to wake up and realize he was being assaulted. He reported throwing the individual out of his house and, after the person attempted to re-enter, knocked them unconscious. Carroll then contacted the police and sought comfort from his children's nanny.

Carroll played for Liverpool between 2011 and 2013, making 58 appearances and scoring 11 goals. He had previously been a key player for Newcastle United, where he came through the academy and became a fan favorite.