EPL: Liverpool's No. 9 Andy Carroll Will Justify £35m Spent on Him Eventually

Though the January transfer window in 2012 was relatively quiet, the one in 2011 saw massive amounts spent on player acquisitions in the Barclays Premier League, the top flight in English football.

Out of these high profile transfers, there was one that broke the British transfer record. Andy Carroll became the most expensive British transfer in history when he signed for Liverpool from Newcastle for a whopping £35m.

Since then, that tag has been more of a guillotine hanging over Carroll's neck rather than something to be proud of. The blade sinks into Carroll's flesh with each game that goes by without him having a "statistical" impact in a world where sport is trying to be tuned with "sabermetrics" and "Moneyball."

People forget that football is a team game that deals with far more coordination than baseball. The blood that oozes becomes food for the media to spice according to their taste.

This is the lad's first full season at Liverpool for heaven's sake, and he is already been under severe scrutiny—for what and why exactly? It has already been forecast that he will not be worth his price ever.

Ever? Are people serious?.

Hasn't the kid only turned 23 this January? I can call him a "kid" because I have grown 24 myself, and heck I am not even due a promotion as yet because my lack of experience. The point is that people need experience in every domain. Andy is no exception.

To put things into perspective, Cristiano Ronaldo was transferred as an 18-year-old for £12.25m after the 2002-03 season. The average value of a transfer in the premier league then was £1.95m, and it was £4.83m when Andy switched to Liverpool. 

This means that according to the concept of "Pay as you Play", for comparing transfer fees from different eras, Alex Ferguson invested approximately £30 million on an 18-year-old according to today's prices and values. Ronaldo scored six and had four assists in his first season. Andy has six goals and two assists, and the season is not over as yet. Yes, Carroll is 23, and Ronaldo was 18, but Cristiano was a precocious talent. Andy is admittedly not.

Then what is the point of the comparison?

Well, because judgments were passed too early in my opinion, and it boils down to values. Ronaldo became world player of the year. Andy might not. However, Ronaldo was also transferred for £80m.

Saying that Carroll will never be worth his price is saying that you believe Carroll will not even provide seven-sixteens of the value to Liverpool that Ronaldo provides to Real Madrid. Even that number might be tough for Andy, but it certainly is a possibility.

A new team that plays a completely different system will take time to adapt to. Even more so when one has been out with injury for long periods. The swift transition from seventh to Champions League qualification to eventually challenging for the premiership is also expected by hungry, patient fans.

Kenny Dalglish is trying to manage all that without compromising on many fronts along with accommodating Carroll, who is low on confidence and is trying to get fitter every game.

As if all this is was not difficult, Liverpool has had racism linked with it. Considering all this, I believe Andy and his manager have done very well. I support Dalglish fully for not bringing in reinforcements during January. This stance will surely boost Carroll.

The lad is finding his form and nearing full fitness recently. His attitude has been better, and that may be because mentality has a lot to do with your physical wellness. He still has more than just a few games this season to prove his worth, and I think he might let his doubters know that he may well be priceless if he nets the winner this weekend.

Patience is a lost virtue, and doubters shall all try to wait for goods from Liverpool's powerful No. 9.