The Internet’s most barmy transfer rumour: Liverpool to LOAN Andy Carroll back to Newcastle!

Is Andy Carroll about to make a shock return to Newcastle United?

According to talkSPORT, the misfiring Liverpool striker could be heading back to the North-East to join his former club on a short-term loan deal until the end of the season.

The 22 year-old Geordie has failed to find form and adapt to Liverpool’s style of play since his £35m move from Newcastle last January, finding the net on just 5 occasions.

While the majority of Liverpool supporters continue to back their number 9 the English Press have been heavily critical of his failings in front of goal which have clearly contributed to the big striker’s lack of confidence.

It is understood that a source close to Carroll has suggested the England International would be open to a move back to his former club. The Reds striker reportedly travels back to the North-East on a regular basis to visit family and friends after failing to settle in Merseyside.

Newcastle are due to lose top-scorer Demba Ba to the African Nations Cup in a few weeks time leaving Alan Pardew short of striking options. The Toon boss would undoubtedly welcome Carroll back to Tyneside with open arms after openly expressing his admiration for the Liverpool player before the two sides met at Anfield just 5 days ago.

“You never want to lose great players and we never wanted to lose him,” Pardew said.

“I would take him back if I had the chance. If the fee wasn’t as high as it was then he would still be here. It was a decision, as a football manager which was a very difficult one for me.

“I was 60-40 for keeping him but for the finances of the club there was a strong opinion upstairs and they are my employers. We all looked each other in the eye and said it was going to have to happen. He has not really had a run in that Liverpool side and like all strikers he probably needs a run.

“He is a great lad and a great player. I like Andy and I was disappointed to see him left out of the England squad last time because I think he can be an England player, England’s No. 9, but he has to play himself into the squad.”

Rumour of a short-term departure from Anfield for Carroll has been further strengthened with Liverpool being heavily linked with a £24m bid for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent. However, despite the speculation Kenny Dalglish is about to find himself light of striking options following Luis Suarez’s impending 8-match ban, which puts the reported Carroll rumours in doubt.

The Reds manager will have also been buoyed by seeing glimpses of why he paid £35m for Carroll in the game against his former club. Captain, Steven Gerrard returned as a second half substitute for Liverpool following a torrid year of injuries and immediately linked up with the Geordie striker on numerous occasions with Carroll suddenly looking a serious threat.

Dalglish will be hoping his captain can form a partnership with his England teammate in the absence of Suarez and finally kick-start Andy Carroll’s Liverpool career. Rumours of a short-term loan move back to Newcastle United for the Red’s number 9 are a little far-fetched in my opinion but then again, football is a funny old game!

Written by Graham Duckworth for FootballTransferTavern.com. For more rumour, views and opinion follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/grez10

Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:

ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.