But tonight, Roy Hodgson will offer Carroll the chance at leading England's Euro 2012 attack.
With Wayne Rooney absent and Manchester United team-mate Danny Welbeck injured, Carroll has been handed a starting spot in Oslo, knowing if he matches Hodgson's lofty expectations, he will surely keep his place for the European Championship opener against France in Donetsk on June 11.
Roy Hodgson: "I'm expecting what I saw from him in the latter stages of the season with Liverpool.
"Against top class teams, he played really well.
"He was extremely active and caused amazing problems for the centre-backs he played against, not just with his strength, but also his running power.
"I expect a lot from him."
Rooney is missing from the first two games at Euro 2012 and Welbeck is not certain to be there at all.
The United man has still not recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in the Manchester derby on April 30.