ANDY Carroll moved closer to a Liverpool exit despite the Reds rejecting a loan offer from the striker’s former club Newcastle.Liverpool flatly turned down the Magpies’ loan bid but have made it known they would be willing to listen to offers for a permanent move.New Reds boss Brendan Rodgers claimed last week that he would consider sending Carroll out on loan but, while the club were not commenting on the matter last night, it is understood a short-term move is now not on the agenda.Instead Liverpool will attempt only to recoup some of the club-record £35million they paid to Newcastle 18 months ago should the right offer be tabled.Whether the Magpies will now be willing to return with a new offer for the Gateshead-born striker, who has failed to live up to his hefty price tag since leaving the north-east, remains to be seen after their loan bid fell well short of anything the Reds might consider.Liverpool have already strengthened in attack following the arrival of Rodgers following the signing of Roma striker Fabio Borini last week.Rodgers’ arrival has seemingly ushered Carroll towards the exit door with claims that the 6ft 3in striker does not fit in with the Northern Irishman’s pass-and-move style of play.That prompted West Ham to initiate contact over a possible loan move last week before Newcastle’s bid, which contained an option for a permanent move, was tabled yesterday.
