LIVERPOOL legend Sami Hyppia has taken a pot-shot at Andy Carroll by
declaring: I’d LOVE to play against him!

Misfit Carroll has failed to fire since his £35million from Newcastle.

The striker has hit the net just nine times in 47 appearance and is being
touted around by new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.

And former Liverpool defender Hyppia said: “I can’t say that I am a fan of
Andy Carroll.

“If I had to play against him? Well, I would rather that to playing against
Luis Suarez, for sure.

“For the type of player he is, that would suit me better than a player like
Suarez.”

Hyppia made 464 appearances for Liverpool and is guaranteed a warm welcome
when he brings his Bayer Leverkusen side to Anfield tomorrow.

And the Finn reckons there is still some talent in the Reds’ ranks.

He added: “Steven Gerrard has been a top player for years now and he is
getting a bit older and wiser.

“Daniel Agger is a very, very good centre-half. Hopefully he can stay fit and
play the whole season without injury. He can then show how good a player he
really is.

“Suarez is a very good player. I think I would hate to play against him.”

BRENDAN RODGERS insists £15million new boy Joe Allen will fit the Liverpool mould.

Kop boss Rodgers unveiled his former Swansea star this evening and is backing the 22-year-old to fit seamlessly into his plans.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Joe has made the decision to come with us on this journey.

“Joe is a player whose profile will fit perfectly with the ideas of this group.

“His ability to control and dominate the ball is an important ingredient in our attempt to gain success on the field.

“Joe has had a fantastic education at Swansea City and will now begin the next chapter in his exciting career.

“I wish him all the very best in what I’m sure will be a long and distinguished career here at Liverpool.”

Wales midfielder Allen, 22, added: “I feel incredible. Everyone knows the history of this club, it’s a massive club, and I’m delighted to have joined.

“The passion that people here have for football is something I share and I want to be part of that.

“I’m looking forward to being part of some great years ahead for Liverpool Football Club.”

BRENDAN RODGERS welcomed Joe Allen to Liverpool last night and said: “He’s so
good you’d think he was Spanish.”

The midfielder moved from Swansea in a £15million deal that will see his wages
treble to £45,000 a week.

And new boss Rodgers insisted: “This boy, when you see him play you’d think he
was Spanish, a real European player. I would have paid many more millions
for this kid.

“He’s unique in that he is a British player who just does not give the ball
away. You will see the difference he can make.

“He’s incredible on the ball, his body work is very intelligent, for a
22-year-old it’s frightening.

“Joe’s game understanding is very, very good and he is in love with the
football, he loves it, he wants it all the time.

“He has so much courage to get on the ball and play and I think he will fit in
really, really well with all the other players.”

Allen was at Anfield on Thursday night to see the Reds cruise past Belarus
minnows FC Gomel.

Liverpool now face a Europa League play-off against Hearts.

Reds new-boy Allen has no doubts Rodgers — his boss at Swansea last term — is
the ideal man to bring the glory days back to the club.

Allen insisted: “That’s one of the reasons I’m here. I wanted to be part of
this project, his project.

“I’ve really got a good feeling — as I’m sure all the players have — that this
club is going to go from strength to strength in the coming seasons.”

Rodgers is already planning to open the chequebook again.

Fulham’s Clint Dempsey remains on the radar, while he plans to bring in either
Manchester City winger Adam Johnson or Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.

Rodgers added: “We’ve work to do in the market.”