‘He Hasn’t Been Helped by Stewart Downing’

Tony Cascarino believes Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is failing to get the best out of his club's record signing Andy Carroll.

The towering Anfield forward once again struck a frustrated figure during Liverpool's dour 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day.

Carroll, who was brought to Liverpool from Newcastle United in January for a record fee for an Englishman, has failed to recapture the form that made him one of the most exciting young talents in the country, yet the aforementioned football pundit believes Dalglish is not helping the player.

Citing Stewart Downing's tendency to cut inside and Liverpool's lack of natural width, the former Republic of Ireland international believes Dalglish must alter his system in order to get the very best out of Andy Carroll.

"I feel sorry for (Liverpool striker) Andy Carroll." Cascarino told The Times. "I've been there when it's not happening.

"He hasn't been helped by Stewart Downing, who starts on the right and cuts in to shoot. If you want to get the best out of the big man, get Downing on the left and crossing."

iverpool signed Carroll for £35 million in latter embers of the January transfer window. The 22-year-old has scored just four Premier League goals since his Anfield arrival.