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Andy Carroll has admitted his Liverpool career "never really happened" - and claimed he had to Google some of his Reds teammates before moving to Anfield.

The West Ham striker, speaking to former Reds midfielder Jamie Redknapp for Mail Online , also opened up on his past struggles with injuries, drinking, and surprisingly named Liverpool's Lucas Leiva as one of his toughest opponents.

Talking to Redknapp about his lack of 'obsession' with football, Carroll said: "They (my teammates) think I'm weird. They'll talk about players and I'm thinking: 'Who they are talking about?' Sometimes the manager puts the opposition team up and I'm thinking: 'Who is that centre half or where's he from?'.

"When I was leaving Newcastle for Liverpool, I was in the helicopter on the way down and I had to go to Google to find out who their players were, looking on the phone. I was signing (for a British record £35million) and I didn't know who my team-mates would be!



"I knew Stevie and some of the others but not all of them. And I loved it at Newcastle. I wasn't ready to leave. It came as a shock. I'd had a season ticket, it was my club and it was a shock to move. I was 22. I could never get a grip at Liverpool."

(Image: Action Images / Paul Thomas)

Carroll, of course, was involved in arguably the most memorable of all deadline day transfers back in 2011, becoming Liverpool's record signing when joining for £35m.

But despite goals in an FA Cup semi final win over Everton at Wembley, and one in the final against Chelsea, he left Anfield a disappointment, with a record of 11 goals in 58 appearances.

Asked to rate his career out of 10, Carroll said: "Six — Newcastle, yeah good. Liverpool: never really happened. Here? In spells, yes. Not really done what I know I can do and believe I will do. There's a lot more. Yes, I'll give myself six. Nine caps for England, there are more caps in me. I've always thought I could play for England if I am on my game — if I am fit."

He added: "The drink doesn't help. In the past I was a big drinker, I have been tarnished with that and I don't enjoy that. That is the old me. I have regrets looking back, maybe it would have helped me avoid injuries.

But now? Alcohol is not the cause. Now I am doing whatever I can. I have a weird thing about salt: no salt. Then I drink lots of water but I've been reading that too much water can be bad for you, so now less water. In my head, I've turned it over, I am looking at it all. Diet: right, sleeping: right, fitness: right. It's all there."

Now 28, the Geordie striker has enjoyed something of a revival of late, scoring three goals in his last two appearances for West Ham.

But who does he rate as his toughest opponents?

"Gary Cahill," he said. "Timing, reading, good leap, very good.

"And Liverpool's Lucas Leiva. Oh my God. He played centre half against us. I don't know what it was. Every time I went for the ball he gave me a little nudge, the referee was never going to give a foul and I never wanted a foul, but he did me every time. Just judging me so well and knocking me off balance. I couldn't play against him."

You can read the full interview with Carroll here