In his new book Owning It, former striker Andy Carroll claims Newcastle United coerced him into his 2011 transfer to Liverpool. The 37-year-old details the personal and professional struggles that defined his high-profile career.
The £35 million transfer Newcastle United allegedly coerced
Andy Carroll's 2011 move to Liverpool was not the triumphant step forward it appeared to be at the time. According to the report,the striker felt pressured by Newcastle United to request a transfer despite his desire to remain at St. James' Park. Carroll describes a situation where he felt "over a barrel," claiming the club would have prevented him from playing for them again if he had not submitted a formal request.
The financial mechanics of the £35 million deal also left a bitter taste for the player. Carroll notes in Owning It that Newcastle United retained 10% of the transfer fee because a formal transfer request was submitted. This move came during a period of significant upheaval for Liverpool, as the club sought a successor to Fernando Torres following his departure to Chelsea.
The transiton to Anfield was marked by a profound reluctance to join the Merseyside club. Carroll admits he actually hoped to fail his medical examination to avoid the move, though he ultimately passed with flying colors. As the report notes, he even appeared visibly distressed during his official unveiling alongside Luis Suarez, despite attempting to project happiness to the Liverpool faithful.
A lifestyle shift following the £2,500 weekly wage increase
Financial stability often brings lifestyle changes, and Carroll experienced this when his weekly wages rose above £2,500. He describes a period of frequenting bars, strip joints, and casinos that stood in stark contrast to the disciplined lifestyle required for elite football. While he denies that alcohol led to violence,he acknowledges that his presence in local establishments frequently attracted unwanted attention.
Carroll uses his experiences to contrast his career with the disciplined approach of players like Harry Kane. He suggests that while he enjoyed the freedom of a "normal life"—including music festivals and late nights—that mindset may have been incompatible with reaching the absolute pinnacle of the sport. He expresses no regret for the fun he had, even if it came at the cost of professional consistency.
The three-year prison sentence for a celebrity acquaintance
Personal trauma also features heavily in the memoir, specifically an incident involving a celebrity friend of his former partner. Carroll provides a candid account of being sexually assaulted during an evening at his home after a Newcastle United match. the report states that the individual responsible for the assault was later sentenced to three years in prison.
The striker describes the aftermath of the incident as a traumatic experience, compounded by what he describes as a "humiliating and horrendous" court case. This admission adds a layer of profound personal struggle to a career that was already being scrutinized through the lens of his high-profile transfers and disciplinary issues.
The unaddressed claims against Alan Pardew and Mike Ashley
While Carroll provides his side of the Newcastle-to-Liverpool saga, several key figures have not yet responded to his specific allegations. Carroll characterizes former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew as a "puppet" for then-owner Mike Ashley, suggesting the club's leadership was driving the transfer agenda. However, the report does not include any rebuttal or commentary from Pardew or Ashley regarding these claims.
It remains unclear whether other club officials were involved in the pressure tactics Carroll describes. Furthermore, the source does not clarify if the "celebrity mate" involved in the assault has made any public statements regarding the legal proceedings mentioned in the book.
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