ANDY CARROLL will head into the new season desperate to prove himself at Liverpool, according to his former Newcastle team-mate Joey Barton.

Carroll has endured a stop-start beginning to his Anfield career following his record-breaking £35m switch from Tyneside in January.

A calf injury delayed his debut by more than six weeks, and after scoring twice in eight appearances for Kenny Dalglish’s side, a persistent knee problem brought a premature end to his campaign.

And Barton, who linked so successfully with the 22-year-old during his time at St James’ Park, helping the Magpies to promotion to the Premier League in 2010, says his former colleague will be eager to prove to his new club that he is worth his club-record transfer fee next season.

“It’s always difficult when you go to a new football club and you’re not fully fit,” said Barton, whose own future in the north East looks decidedly uncertain after he revealed that he was not intending to sign a new contract.

“He had a niggling injury when they signed him. He’ll be looking to get pre-season under his belt and look to kick on and show Liverpool what an asset they’ve acquired.