Andy Carroll has not made the trip to Belarus for Thursday’s Europa League qualifier against FC Gomel, despite being named in the squad.
The news comes amid persistent rumours linking him with a move to West Ham or Newcastle. West Ham had a loan bid accepted for Carroll, but he was unwilling to join the Hammers, as he wants to play in European competition. Something he will get at Newcastle, who qualified for the Europa League this season.
Carroll’s involvement against Gomel would not have meant he was ineligible for the main stage of the Europa League in the event he joined another club.
The decision by Liverpool not to take Carroll, technically they are saying he is not fit due to a groin problem means that Brendan Rodgers has very few attacking options against Gomel. Strikers Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy will also miss the game due to Olympic duty, and Fabio Borini has barely trained since signing from Roma.