Carroll - Squad Can Cope

Andy Carroll believes Liverpool have the squad to cope without the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

The club's long-serving duo were absent for Saturday's Premier League clash with West Brom, a game the Reds won 2-0.

Carroll scored Liverpool's second on the stroke of half time and he admitted that it was tough without Carrgher (calf) and Gerrard (ankle).

However, the former Newcastle man was pleased with the club's replacements and admits when the pair return it will provide a boost.

"It was tough not having Stevie or Carra in the squad," Carroll told the Liverpool Echo.

"They are great players and we need them in the team once they've got over their little niggles.

"But we have fantastic players that can come in. The game showed we've got lads who can step in when needed and do a job.

"We showed what we can do. We passed it around well and deserved the three points."

Carroll played alongside Luis Suarez up front and the 22-year-old marksman was delighted to be paired with the Uruguay international.

"Luis is a great player who works so hard for the team and it's nice to have him up top with me," he continued.

"Luis drops off, gets the ball into his feet, can dribble with it and slip people in.

"I couldn't name a better player in the Premier League than Luis. He's fantastic to have in the squad. He makes chances and scores goals himself so he's a great all-round player and he showed that again.

"We just try to stretch defenders and try to make the pitch as big as possible.

"Luis makes it easy playing alongside him. I think we played well together and hopefully that will carry on."