Former Liverpool Damien Comolli impressed with Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll came off the bench to score against Chelsea (Getty Images)

Former Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli believes Andy Carroll's current impressive form is just the beginning.

The striker has endured a difficult time at Anfield since moving from Newcastle for a British record £35million last January but there are signs he may be starting to come into his own.

Carroll transformed Liverpool's fortunes when he came on as a substitute in the FA Cup final last weekend, scoring the Reds' goal against Chelsea and only being denied an equaliser by a wonder save from Petr Cech.

The 23-year-old then took that form into Tuesday's Barclays Premier League meeting between the sides and played a big role in Liverpool's 4-1 victory at Anfield.

Comolli, who helped bring Carroll to Anfield before leaving his post last month, is not surprised by the striker's sudden blossoming and insisted reports about a poor lifestyle are wide of the mark.

"He's a much better player technically, his runs are better, he's very fit, his lifestyle is very good," Comolli told talkSPORT.

"All the time I was at Liverpool and he was at Liverpool he was never drinking or doing stupid things. He looks after himself.

"It's part of an education process. When he first came to Liverpool the staff got hold of him and said, 'This is what you have to do if you want to get to the top'. He totally grabbed it and ran with it.

"You can see the effect at the moment and I think it's just the beginning. All the stats prove that strikers, especially target strikers, peak when they are 26. He's 23.

"He's got so much more to come, it's incredible. I think we are only seeing the beginning. He's intelligent, he's dedicated, he listens, he's got a good lifestyle. I don't see why he shouldn't be a success."

Carroll's struggles along with those of fellow big-money summer signings Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson were widely believed to have played a part in Comolli's departure.

The Frenchman, who has also worked at Arsenal and Tottenham, is keen on a return to the Premier League, saying: "I hope so, at some point.

"Out of the last 15 years, I think I've spent only three years in France and all the rest in England. This has become my football background, my football culture is in England. I hope that there is a good opportunity somewhere."

PA