Andy Carroll has revealed he was the target of online abuse during his time at Liverpool and claimed he had to stay "positive" when his mental health was tumbling.
The Geordie-born striker became the Reds' record signing back in January 2011 when he made the £35million switch from Newcastle. Carroll had only just signed a five-year contract at the Magpies but decided to leave just three months later.
It was a move that shocked Carroll at the time and he ended up coming under severe scrutiny and criticism when times were tough. He scored just twice in his first nine appearances, before struggling for form in his first full season at Anfield.
This saw Carroll allegedly receive a bucket load of abuse from supporters as he failed to hit the ground running - and properly replace the outgoing cult hero Fernando Torres. Over a decade on from his move to Liverpool, Carroll has opened up about his experience of dealing with torrid abuse.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, via Sky Bet, Carroll said: "As a footballer, it’s hard to understand the online abuse from someone that has never kicked a ball before.
"It's hard – but you have to wipe it out your mind and not dwell on it. There’s a lot more positives around you, and you need to listen to your teammates rather than the people that think they are experts.
"When I was injured at Liverpool, I got a lot of abuse. I had to realise that none of it matters – you can create problems for yourself when you listen to it."
Carroll scored just 11 times in 58 appearances in a troubled 18-month spell on Merseyside, before West Ham secured his services on loan for the 2012/13 season. He impressed at Upton Park and decided to move on a permanent basis a year later for £15m.
However, injuries really ruined and tortured Carroll’s time at the Hammers. He was limited to 142 matches in seven years, including just 14 in his final campaign as he dealt with a severe ankle problem.
His next move was a shock return to former club Newcastle under Steve Bruce as he penned a one-year contract in 2019. Similarly to his spell at West Ham, Carroll struggled with injuries and couldn’t muster a sustained run in the side.
After signing a fresh 12-month deal, Carroll departed in July 2021 and he took a short break from the game to recharge. That was when Reading took a gamble on the forward - and he impressed, scoring some important goals.
Following a frustrating stint at West Brom, Carroll was back at Reading in the summer and he hasn’t looked back since. He has notched seven goals in 26 appearances and is loving his time at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Carroll added: "Reading is a great club, I enjoyed the first spell I had here and for me it was a no-brainer coming back. I knew the facilities and players well – and now I’m enjoying it just as much!"
Carroll's Reading are next in action when they face Birmingham in a huge relegation clash at the bottom of the Championship table. The Royals currently 20th, one point above the bottom three following their brutal six-point deduction.
