The bid for Carroll last night sparked off a tug-of-war with former club Newcastle.
Although Liverpool last night rejected Toon's offer, sources hinted Carroll would welcome a return to his home- town club, who sold him to Liverpool for £35m inJanuary of last year.
But reports in Liverpool claim the striker wants to prove he is NOT a Liverpool "flop", but that could be difficult when the manager wants to play a Barcelona-style 4-6-0 formation.
You don't play that system with a 6ft 7" striker.