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Andy Carroll's exit from Anfield is set to be confirmed this week as Liverpool look to fend off interest in Luis Suarez.

The Reds' record signing has been considering his options since the club agreed a £15million transfer fee with West Ham last month.

Carroll, who spent last season on loan at Upton Park, had hoped to return to Merseyside in a bid to revive his Liverpool career.

However, with the £35million frontman not in Brendan Rodgers' plans, he has now accepted his future lies away from Anfield.

Carroll looks increasingly likely to accept a permanent move to the Hammers, who haven't been put off by the fact he is set to miss the start of next season with a heel injury.

The striker's former club Newcastle United, who failed in an attempt to sign Carroll on loan last summer, have indicated they don't intend to table a rival bid to challenge West Ham for his signature.

As Liverpool prepare to swell their transfer kitty with the sale of Carroll, they remain determined to keep Suarez at Anfield.

The Reds were left stunned last week when the Uruguayan told a press conference in his homeland of his desire to leave because of his treatment at the hands of the English media which meant his family were “suffering”.

Suarez has his sights set on a move to Spain with Real Madrid his favoured destination, but neither the striker nor his representatives have told the club directly he wants a transfer.

Liverpool still haven't received any offers for Suarez and have no interest in selling the 26-year-old, who only penned a new long-term contract last August.

Kop legends Graeme Souness and John Barnes are divided over the best way for the Reds to handle what could descend into a summer-long saga.

Souness believes the Reds are right to stand firm and refuse to grant Suarez a move.

“They are in a great position as he signed a five-year deal last year and he is obviously a vital part of what they want to achieve going forward,” Souness said.

“He gets goals for them and goals win you games, goals get you up the table and goals get you in the Champions League which is where Liverpool want to be.

“I find it a wee bit strange that he is complaining about the press because as the end of the day he has got to look at himself. He has brought it on himself with what he has been involved in.

“If Real Madrid come calling it is going to be a difficult one to say no to. But there is no getting away from it, he is a star and Liverpool have got to keep him. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.”

In contrast Barnes says Suarez should be sold if his heart is no longer at Anfield.

“I would like Luis Suarez to stay but if he is not happy and doesn’t want to then he’s got to go,” Barnes said.

“You can’t keep a player happy. If he doesn’t want to stay his performances will struggle. It won’t be right for Suarez.

“Liverpool will have a bigger problem if Luis Suarez stays when he doesn’t want to. The club shouldn’t force him to stay because you’re not going to get anything out of him.”

The Reds are still waiting to discover the full extent of Daniel Sturridge's ankle injury.

The £12million striker suffered ligament damage in England's friendly against the Republic of Ireland last week.

Sturridge has undergone a series of scans amidst growing fears he could miss the start of next season.

Rodgers will boost his striking options this week by completing the £7.7million signing of Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo.

The Spaniard, who helped Celta stay up on the final day of the La Liga season, is expected to arrive on Merseyside to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

Meanwhile, there is no truth in speculation that Liverpool are planning to sign Reading defender Alex Pearce on a free transfer.

The Republic of Ireland international, who is out of contract this summer, was pictured with Reds managing director Ian Ayre in a London bar. However, the ECHO understands that Pearce is not on the club's list of transfer targets.