IT’S an issue showing no signs of abating at Liverpool FC and beyond. A topic that continues to perplex and provoke debate. A matter surely testing the resolve of even the most patient observer.

How to solve a problem like Andy Carroll?

More than 10 months into his Anfield career, the striker appears as unlikely a Liverpool FC player as when he completed his shock £35million transfer on deadline day in January.

Witness Carroll’s performance at Craven Cottage on Monday evening.

Teed up by Luis Suarez early on, the forward’s crisp finish was straight at Mark Schwarzer. From an almost identical move shortly afterwards, he missed his kick.

On another day, both efforts could easily have resulted in a goal.

But days like that have been few and far between for Carroll this year.

The injury he was nursing on his arrival from Newcastle United rightly bought the 22-year-old time. But such indulgence has now passed, and surely the only judgement is Carroll must do better. A lot better.

It’s not entirely his fault. At Newcastle, he was the sole focal point of attack, the team built around him, playing to his strengths.

At Anfield, though, he isn’t, it isn’t and the team doesn’t. While Kenny Dalglish has previously admitted Liverpool have yet to adapt to Carroll, the player himself has similarly not taken to the pass and move philosophy the manager is once again ingraining into this squad.