Thursday 28 April 2011

Carroll to face Capello wrath?

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has risked facing the wrath of England boss Fabio Capello after the forward was snapped by a sharp-eyed passerby with a Sony digital camera enjoying a drink or two in Madrid prior to last night's Champions League clash in the city between Real and Barcelona. The Liverpool man was out in Madrid to watch the game with goalkeeper Pepe Reina, defender Glen Johnson, midfielder Raul Meireles, and Everton star Tim Cahill, who must surely have felt like something of a misfit!

Carroll scored a stunning goal last month against Ghana and drew instant praise for his exploits on the international scene after not even playing for one season at Premier League level. However, after becoming well-known in Newcastle for a few ill-timed and ill-advised drunken exploits, the player was warned by the England boss about his future conduct.

Capello stated: "His behaviour now is really, really important. Really important. He needs to be careful at every moment. I spoke with him privately. He needs to improve, to drink less".

This weekend, Carroll will experience mixed emotions as his new club Liverpool take on Newcastle at Anfield, a game many will want to follow online or via slingbox. Although the striker has revealed he wants to make the starting line-up despite still feeling a knee injury sustained a couple of weeks ago, any failure to perform may not be put down to nerves, but down to a little too much fun in the sun in the build-up to the game, and for a strict sort like Capello, that could contribute to the striker's international career coming to an end before it has really begun.