The former Reds star says that the 24-year-old would struggle to earn playing time at Anfield under Brendan Rodgers if he decides to stay at the club following his West Ham loan

Former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler has warned Andy Carroll that he risks being left out on the sidelines if he returns to Anfield.

The ex-Newcastle striker spent last season on loan at West Ham and enjoyed a productive campaign, making 24 appearances and scoring seven goals in the Premier League.

But the England international, who is now set to return back to Anfield, might get frozen out of the team under Brendan Rodgers, according to the veteran, now of North Queensland Fury.

“Well, I don’t know. In football you can never say never,” Fowler told reporters when asked if Carroll deserves a second chance with the Reds.

“I think with Andy Carroll, when he first came, he tried to play to the price tag. That sounds a little bit silly but he was trying to drop off, beat men and do everything you would expect from a £35 million striker.

“He looked a much better player when he got to the nitty gritty. When he used his body and was a handful. No disrespect but, when he plays like a big lump and uses his elbows, he looks much better.

“I think Brendan Rodgers is the man to answer that one. Would I like to see him there? I think Liverpool need as many numbers in the squad as they can. The squad will probably be better with Carroll in it but I wouldn’t say he would play many games.”

The former Anfield favourite believes that Rodgers can take Liverpool into the Champions League with the right amount of investment this summer.

He continued: “You never know with Liverpool but I think they need to spend a little bit of money to keep up with the teams that have finished above them. We all know that there’s been many managerial changes and they usually get money to spend to bring in their own players.

“Hopefully the same will happen to Liverpool and we can hang on to the coat-tails and maybe break into the top four.”