Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Losing Andy Carroll to West Ham Would Hurt Reds

If Andy Carroll doesn't join Luis Suarez in the attack, there will be major concerns for Liverpool in the 2012-13 campaign.

According to The Telegraph's Luke Edwards, West Ham United have put down an offer that might be one Carroll decides to take. West Ham would provide Liverpool with £2 million and a £17 million deal.

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Liverpool are understood to have accepted the offer, although it remains to be seen whether Carroll agrees to the move as he has privately expressed his desire to return to Newcastle United.

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Last season, Carroll's presence at the net was as solid as any player's on this sound Liverpool squad. 

In 35 games in the 2011-12 season, 14 of which he came on as a substitute, Carroll recorded four goals and had 88 shots. Twenty-seven of the 88 were shots on goal and they were also the second most on the team behind Suarez.

Talk about impressive.

This is a talent that didn't play in the type of minutes that talents like Suarez, Jordan Henderson or Stewart Downing played, and still he came up with top-notch production.

His ability to push the pace with the ball and keep an opposition's back line on its heels is the biggest loss for Liverpool. All of last season the Achilles' heel has been the lackluster play offensively.

The team finished in eighth place; however, it should be noted that the one area where this team suffered the most is in its attack. The team scored just 47 goals last season, which ranked 11th.

The back line is top-notch and the team's midfield plays especially well, but up front is where the real worries are brewing. Allowing Carroll to leave the Reds is exactly what this team must avoid at all costs.

One of the few proven forwards for the team last season isn't the player Liverpool should consider letting walk away.