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PAUL MERSON has launched an astonishing attack on Liverpool FC striker Andy Carroll – criticising him for not taking a penalty in the shoot-out against Italy.

England crashed out of the European Championships at the quarter-final stage on Sunday night in Kiev, losing 4-2 on penalties after a tense 120 minutes.

After Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney scored, Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed their spot-kicks.

Although the identity of the fifth penalty taker, believed to be Theo Walcott, has not been confirmed Merson has still blasted Carroll for not being amongst the first four.

Carroll took one penalty for Liverpool last season, against Chelsea in the Carling Cup, and missed, so it was understandable if he had shown any reluctance to take one.

However, it is unknown if he offered his services or not.

Part of Merson’s gripe is that defenders and midfielders were ahead of Carroll in order of penalty takers but Ashley Cole, for example, regularly steps up in such situations and converted from the spot in the Champions League final on May 19.

“Andy Carroll should be ashamed of himself,” declared Merson.

“It’s an absolute disgrace that he didn’t take a penalty for England. He cost £35m – it’s his job to score goals.

“Ashley Cole is the best left-back in the world. It’s his job to defend, not score goals. That’s what Carroll is there for.

“How he doesn’t take a penalty in front of Cole is disgusting. It winds me up so much.

“Even if Roy Hodgson had him down to take the sixth penalty, that’s not an excuse. It’s not good enough.

“Your best takers go first. It’s no good having Lionel Messi waiting to take a penalty if your team is already out, is it?

“When I was at the World Cup as a player, if I had stood there and let Tony Adams or Gary Neville take one before me, I’d be ashamed of myself.

“That’s a striker’s job. That’s what they are paid to do. Since the age of 10, or whenever he started, he’s been told to score goals.

“Carroll will be one of our main centre-forwards going into the next World Cup – and he won’t step up and take a penalty? It doesn’t fill you with confidence.”