Enrique comes out fighting for under-fire pal Andy Carroll
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Jose Enrique comes out fighting for under-fire pal Andy Carroll
BLANK ... Carroll is denied by FerdinandJOSE ENRIQUE has marked his new life at Liverpool by coming out fighting for under-fire pal Andy Carroll.
Enrique got a shock debut against Sunderland on Saturday, 24 hours after arriving from Newcastle, but had to be content with a disappointing draw.
Giant hitman Carroll, 22, had a goal chalked off.
But he found himself in the spotlight after another quiet display and it has led to claims the Kop paid way over the odds for the £35million England striker.
But Enrique, who spent four years with Carroll at St James' Park, is convinced his mate will have the last laugh - because he is only now approaching full fitness.
Carroll spent his first six months at Anfield battling thigh then knee injuries and he is still to hit his peak. And Enrique said: "I watched him play last season and I knew he wasn't fit.
"I don't care if the player is Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, if a player isn't fit they cannot play properly.
"But Andy's still playing very well in his position and he is going to be an important player this season.
"He was brilliant at Newcastle and I am sure he will be brilliant for Liverpool.
"When a club like Liverpool pays £35m for anyone it's because they think he is a good player, and I'm sure Andy is going to do a lot of very good things for us."
Enrique, 25, himself is still en route to match fitness after a summer spent trying to leave the Toon.
He admitted that has made for a tough start at Liverpool, but has told Kop fans they will swiftly see the best of him.
The Spanish left-back added: "I am not 100 per cent because I have not trained with the team and I need to get to know everyone.
"But that's normal and in the next few games, if I continue to play, it will be easy to understand the others.
"At Newcastle I had to attack a lot, but here we have amazing players in all positions, so it will be different."
Saturday's draw piles the pressure on to get a result at Arsenal on Saturday, when the Reds will once more be without Steven Gerrard.
The Liverpool skipper is some way from playing after an infection following groin surgery, but is making good progress with his recovery.
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i bet Carroll can't even get 10 goals this season.................