Andy Carroll unhappy at being used as Liverpool substitute

Martin Skrtel (right) congratulates Liverpool team-mate Andy Carroll after his late winner (AP)

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll believes he has spent too much time on the substitutes' bench since his big-money move to Anfield.

The 23-year-old England international has as yet failed to live up to his £35million price tag following a frustrating start to his Reds career.

Carroll has, however, gone some way towards repaying his fee in the past week when he followed a late winner at Blackburn with the goal that sent Liverpool through to the FA Cup final at the expense of closest rivals Everton at the weekend.

The former Newcastle frontman started both games and, after a season in which he has come off the bench in 14 of his 31 league appearances, believes he will only get better with more time on the pitch.

"I am confident in myself that, if I am playing games, I will score goals and put myself about," he told various newspapers.

"I cannot really do that if I am on the bench and coming on in the last 10 minutes of games.

"What I want is to start games and put myself about like I know I can. When I haven't been playing, you get low on confidence."

Carroll also claimed the days of his party lifestyle off the pitch were behind him since moving to Liverpool.

Last September former England boss Fabio Capello infamously warned Carroll that he needed to "drink less", with the striker now admitting he prefers to stay in with his girlfriend.

"My past is my past. I changed my lifestyle when I came to Liverpool and settled down. I love it here," he said.

"People will say to me 'Oh, you were in the boozer last week' but it is just rumours going round.

"Now I just laugh it off. To be honest, I don't go out at all. All I do now is sit in the house with my girlfriend, chill out and watch movies."

PA