Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has leapt to the defence of striker Andy Carroll.

The 22-year-old centre-forward has come in for criticism in recent weeks, having found the net just five times since his £35m British record transfer to Anfield from Newcastle United last January.

However, Dalglish has accused the media of making up stories regarding the player's lifestyle and attitude.

"I think you yourselves have a bigger problem with Andy Carroll than anybody else," the Scottish boss told a press conference. "I don't understand the rest of the stuff. I think somebody has got some imagination about the lifestyle that big Andy leads compared to the one that we know he leads.

"So, really, he is unfortunate that he attracts a bit of attention to himself from yourselves.

"But, for us, he has come here and gone about his work very well on and off the pitch and is adjusting to life at a new club with new philosophies and a new way of playing."

Carroll could line up against his former side Newcastle on Friday evening.