West Ham striker Andy Carroll has opened up about his time as Liverpool player, and claimed to have needed the help ofGoogle to find out who some of his teammates were.
The 28-year-old is now into his fifth year at West Ham, having joined the club in 2012 on loan from the Reds for one season before signing permanently the following summer.
Speaking to former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, via the Mail Online, Carroll shed light on his time at the club.
Carroll said: "They (my teammates) think I'm weird. They'll talk about players and I'm thinking: 'Who are they talking about?' Sometimes the manager puts the opposition team up and I'm thinking: 'Who is that centre half or where's he from?'.
"When I was leaving Newcastle for Liverpool, I was in the helicopter on the way down and I had to go to Google to find out who their players were, looking on the phone. I was signing (for a British record £35million) and I didn't know who my teammates would be!
"I wasn't ready to leave. It came as a shock. I'd had a season ticket [at Newcastle], it was my club and it was a shock to move. I was 22. I could never get a grip at Liverpool."
He also expressedone of hisdarkerregrets:"The drink didn't help. In the past I was a big drinker, I have been tarnished with that and I don't enjoy that. That is the old me. I have regrets looking back, maybe it would have helped me avoid injuries."
Carroll's deadline day move from Newcastle back in 2011 remains one of the most memorable transfer swoops to date, after Liverpool let Fernando Torres leave for Chelsea for £50m. He joined the club at the same time as Luis Suarez.
Ultimately, his British record price tag proved too heavy a burden for the England man, who could only muster 11 goals in 58 appearances.
Asked to rate his time on Merseyside, he told Redknapp: "Six [out of 10]- Newcastle, yeah good. Liverpool: never really happened. Here? In spells, yes. Not really done what I know I can do and believe I will do. There's a lot more. Yes, I'll give myself six. Nine caps for England, there are more caps in me. I've always thought I could play for England if I am on my game- if I am fit."
The 6ft 4in target man, who also cited then-teammate Lucas Leiva and fellow England man Gary Cahill as his toughest opponents in the interview,has looked more threatening of late for current clubWest Ham.
He has scored three goals in his last two games afterandrecentlybagged a Goal of the Season contender against Middlesbroughin the form of magnificent bicycle kick.