Andy Carroll warned over drinking habits

England manager Fabio Capello warned Andy Carroll over his lifestyle on Monday, saying the Liverpool striker needed to drink less if he wanted to be a successful footballer.

Carroll (22) became the most expensive English player in history earlier this year when he moved from Newcastle to Liverpool in a £35-million transfer.

But since that high-profile move, the centre-forward has failed to live up to his price tag, struggling to secure his place at Liverpool and being pushed to the margins of the England set-up.

Although Carroll was included in the squad for last week’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria, he was excluded from the match-day line-up in Sofia and failed to make the bench.

While Capello is an avowed admirer of the powerfully built striker, the Italian disciplinarian has been less impressed by Carroll’s off-pitch habits.

“I think if he wants to be a good player, a good sportsman, he needs to drink less,” Capello told a press conference.

Capello said he had spoken to Carroll but declined to give details of his advice.

“It’s a private message. I spoke with him.

It’s a private discussion between two people but he understands a lot,” Capello said.

“He’s young, we need to help him. He’s a really important player.

“He needs to be careful, because he’s an important player not only for the England team but for Liverpool. I think he understands what he needs to do.”—AFP