The Reds boss believes the 24-year-old has the potential to flourish in the Premier League, though it is not certain whether he will get the chance to do so at Anfield

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Andy Carroll still has the potential to become a “top player”, even though his future may not lie at Anfield.

Carroll joined Liverpool for £35 million in 2011 but struggled to make an impact and has since been loaned out to West Ham, where he has scored five goals in 17 appearances this season.

However, Rodgers has insisted that the 24-year-old can still flourish at a team that suits his style of play.

“Do I think he can be a top player? Is he a top player? He certainly has that potential,” Rodgers told reporters. “If he gets that opportunity of playing in a team that suits his style, then there’s always a chance.

“It was very unfortunate for Andy when he joined this club because he had limited experience of the Premier League.

“Through no fault of his own he arrived on the back of an incredible price tag for someone so young and inexperienced, and the early stages were difficult for him.

“But there’s no doubt Andy has great qualities. Look at one of his two goals last week for West Ham from the corner (in a 3-1 win over West Brom).

“There are not too many better sights in football when you’ve the big guy going and heading the ball like that.”

Regarding the target man’s future, Rodgers admitted that Liverpool’s stance on him is still unclear and that a decision could only be made at the end of the season.

“As to his future, there are other things involved, it’s not as simple as him being here. There are other things we need to consider in it all,” he added.

“As I’ve said, it’s one where we will see it through to the end of the season and we’ll take it from there.”

Carroll is ineligible to play for West Ham against Liverpool in their Premier League encounter on Sunday.

The Reds’ manager has ruled the teenager out of Sunday’s fixture against West Ham at Anfield, but admits he is awaiting further information to clarify his return date

Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling is set to miss this weekend’s clash against West Ham at Anfield due to a thigh injury, and does not know his exact return date yet.

The 18-year-old was a key player for the former Swansea boss in the early part of the season, but has been rested recently due to injury concerns, resulting in handful of substitute appearances for the club.

“He’s had this for a few weeks where he’s had a slight, slight tear at the top of his thigh and it doesn’t keep him out completely,” Rodgers told reporters. “But gradually over time it has got worse.

“It is something that if we continue with it, it could end up bigger and create problems for him when he gets older, so we have to keep on top of it, and ensure we don’t store up a problem for later in his career.

“We are not 100 per cent clear yet on the seriousness of the situation, but we have to be careful with him. He will definitely miss the weekend.

“It is an early diagnosis and if it is the best thing to do to rest him for the rest of the season, then we will do that because we have got other players and we don’t need to risk him when it could cause problems for the future.

“It is something the medics will keep a keen eye on.”

The injury could be a concern for England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce, who is set to lead the team to the European Championships in June which take place in Israel, and could call on the young winger.

The Liverpool manager believes his striker should win the coveted end-of-season PFA award, not only thanks to his goals but also the consistently high level of his performances

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes striker Luis Suarez should be named PFA Player of the Year due to his consistency throughout the season.

The Uruguayan has scored 29 goals in all competitions this season for the Reds, and leads the Premier League scoring charts on 22 goals.

And Rodgers has hailed Suarez’s positive approach to the game, highlighting his striker’s contribution to the Liverpool cause as key to his team’s late push for European football.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with lots of really good players so it would be disrespectful to single out the best,” Rodgers told reporters. “What I am sure of though, is his warrior spirit and I love his humility, work rate, attitude to training and his desire to be a winner.

“He has a real determination and commitment to do well for Liverpool and that side of his game certainly puts him up there with the very best I’ve worked with. He is definitely one of the most naturally talented and mentally strong players I have ever worked with.

“When you know him as a person and as a man like we do here, you can see why so many people love him. He is a player who has great humility, I see the guy every day and I’ve worked with hundreds of junior and senior players and he is one of the most likable, most humble people I’ve come across.

“He is also a multi-talented footballer who has shown that he is at a world-class level now.”

Robin van Persie and Gareth Bale – who are on 19 and 17 goals respectively for the season – are considered Suarez’s main rivals for the end-of-season award, but Rodgers feels the 26-year-old’s regular top-class displays single him out above other contenders.

Rodgers continued: “He will certainly be in the reckoning [for Player of the Year]. His league goals alone should put him in with a great shout but you also need to look at his consistency throughout the season that makes him arguably the best player.

“There are other contenders of course; players like Gareth Bale have been outstanding for Tottenham for example, but I think that Luis’ consistency and the impact he has had for us this season means that he would be my candidate to win.

“I know what it was like when I faced him as an opposing manager, I always viewed him as a pest around the penalty area and you know that players like that usually have the quality to score at any given time.”