Carroll service

"I thought Carroll's general play was really good; he headed the ball down well, and he had belief back."
Gary Neville Quotes of the week

Carroll, 23, has struggled to make an impact at Anfield since his £35million switch from Newcastle last January.

But Neville was impressed by the frontman's all-round display during the Reds' 0-0 home draw with Tottenham on Monday night.

"I always think about Andy Carroll, almost like (ex-Everton striker) Duncan Ferguson, in the way that he should be bossing games," said Neville. "He should be leading the line, being aggressive and using that big frame of his.

"I thought there was a mobility back in his game tonight that I'd not seen in previous weeks and that comes with games and fitness.

"I thought his general play was really good; he headed the ball down well, and he had belief back. Things could have happened for him and if he carries on doing the right things, he'll get his rewards."

Patience

Seventh-placed Liverpool remain unbeaten at Anfield this season but the stalemate with Spurs was their eighth draw in 12 home games.

And ex-Manchester United right-back Neville thinks the Merseysiders' difficulty in attaining victories stems from a lack of composure in front of goal.

"It was the same old story," he said. "The defending was really good, the goalkeeper (Pepe Reina) was good and they played out of midfield alright, even though at times it could be a bit quicker.

"But once they get into the final third, they lack the belief, creativity and patience to play the extra pass.

"When they go into the last 10 or 15 minutes it looks a bit rushed and there is not that spark, someone who gives them that moment that will win them the game."

Resilience

Tottenham maintained their grip on third place in the table and Neville believes the summer acquisition of Scott Parker has given the north Londoners a layer of steel.

"He epitomised Spurs' performance," Neville said of Parker.

"You talk about Tottenham playing great football over the last two or three months, but tonight they showed a level of resilience and spirit in their defending that I wouldn't normally associate with a Tottenham team.

"They were without their manager (Harry Redknapp was absent from Anfield due to his continuing court case) and one or two players, but they showed backbone.

"They weren't as creative as they could have been but, all in all, they'd have taken [a point]."