Wales boss Chris Coleman is keen to play the midfielder, 22, against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Wednesday’s friendly.
But the Reds want Allen to rest before Saturday’s opener at West Brom.
The 23-year-old Geordie is still being courted by former club Newcastle and
West Ham.
And he showed a glimpse of how deadly he can be with a 20-yard rocket in front
of the most famous bank of supporters in the game.
Charlie Adam was the provider — with a neat turn to find space — and Carroll
let the ball run through his legs before drilling home.
Admittedly he got some help thanks to Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno’s tame
effort.
But after just four competitive goals in his 20 months on Merseyside, England
striker Carroll (left) was not about to complain.
Whether he is still around when Liverpool start their league campaign, against
Manchester City on Sunday week, is highly debatable.
But yesterday’s strike in this pre-season friendly certainly left a huge smile
on Kop boss Brendan Rodgers’ face.
Rodgers said: “It was nice to see him score and it was a terrific goal as
well. The big guy has had stick that he can’t play this way but he let it go
through his legs and he tucked it away very well.”
Carroll’s goal followed an early thunderbolt from the increasingly impressive
17-year-old Raheem Sterling.
The third came from Lucas, who tapped into an empty net when Michael Kadlec
nicked the ball off Luis Suarez’s toe only to set up the Brazil midfielder.
Sidney Sam got one back for Liverpool legend Sami Hyypia’s German side while
Joe Allen, the Reds’ £15million buy from Swansea, was introduced before
kick-off.
Rodgers added: “There is still a lot of work ahead but I’m seeing improvement
every single day in terms of our short passing game. To play with that
control against a very good side was excellent.”
One in, one out at Liverpool
The new Anfield boss on Sunday oversaw a 3-1 victory against Bayer Leverkusen on Merseyside as the Premier League club concluded their pre-season with a win.
Teenager Raheem Sterling opened the scoring in style before Lucas Leiva took another step on his return from injury with a goal and substitute Carroll then added a third.
England international Carroll is not thought to figure in Rodgers’ plans and the £35million striker is a target of West Ham United, while a return to Newcastle United is also possible.
“We arrive into next week with a clean bill of health, everyone is training, and they are really embracing the work and it’s great to see”
Brendan Rodgers
But Rodgers thinks the tall and powerful 23-year-old, who has been accused of only being able to play in a direct system, showed good skill when turning and firing a comparatively straightforward shot which was fumbled by Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Rodgers said of Carroll on Liverpool’s official website: “It was a terrific goal from him. It was a nice, clever piece of play by Charlie Adam as the ball came into him and he flicked it around the corner.
“Maybe eight or nine times out of 10 he would have expected that (the ball) back, but big Andy showed his skill and ability as well.
“He’s got stick that he can’t play this way, but it was a wonderful piece of skill letting the ball go through his legs, getting the shot on target and tucking the ball away very well. It was very pleasing all round.
“The players had a wonderful idea of the game tactically and I am seeing an improvement every single day in terms of our passing game.”
Rodgers’ £15million signing, Joe Allen, was in the stands at Anfield to watch the win over Leverkusen having followed his manager to Liverpool from Swansea after a transfer was confirmed on Friday.
And Rodgers, who had already signed another former Swansea player in Fabio Borini, remains determined for the Wales international to not be the final new face at Anfield before the end of August.
He said: “Joe will fit into the group very well. I like technically gifted players, and he is exceptionally technically gifted.
“But I also like good people and he is a very humble young guy. He knows he is 22 years of age and has an awful lot to learn but he will be with us every single day in the journey to make this club better.
“He is a very talented boy and he comes into an excellent group. Hopefully we can add one or two more before the end of the window.”
Rodgers was also full of praise for Brazilian midfielder Lucas, who was ruled out from last November after suffering a serious knee ligament injury.
He joked: “He has been brilliant. He is a terrific guy and he is prolific from seven yards with no goalkeeper!
“You have seen the growth of him as a player and a person, and the journey he’s been on at this club is incredible. He still feels he has a lot to offer. How I work in liking to play this high, intense pressing and passing game brings on his fitness.
“I think if you look at him now, he is in a real good moment. Hopefully he can stay fit and strong and keep pushing on for us.”