Image:Brendan Rodgers: Would not have let Carroll go if he knew Dempsey deal would fail
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits he would not have let Andy Carroll move to West Ham if he had known he could not replace him.
Reds boss will now have to look to the free agent market for striker
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits he would not have let Andy Carroll move to West Ham if he had known he could not replace him.
Rodgers allowed Carroll to move to the Hammers on loan thinking Clint Dempsey would be arriving from Fulham.
Liverpool were then outbid by Tottenham who offered the United States international a more favourable deal.
The Anfield side are now woefully short of forwards and Rodgers reportedly may even consider out-of-contract Michael Owen or Didier Drogba.
Quizzed
Rodgers gave one-word answers when quizzed about Carroll replying 'no' when asked if he would have let him leave and 'very' about how confident he was in getting a replacement in.
In relation to signing former Liverpool striker Owen and Drogba, Rodgers said: "I can't say no. Any player I believe can improve the squad, I will look at.
"We have a very small group. We had 19 training yesterday. It is something that would have to be discussed."
A 2-0 home defeat by Arsenal on Sunday condemned Liverpool to their worst start to a season since 1962-63.
