Liverpool striker Andy Carroll confident of forming prolific partnership

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll believes he and Luis Suarez can form a profitable goalscoring partnership up front.

The £35million club-record signing provided the assist for the Uruguay international's goal in last weekend's 6-1 FA Cup victory over Brighton, having already scored himself.

And having put his own fitness problems behind him and seen Suarez complete an eight-match suspension the 23-year-old believes now they are starting to show what they are capable of as a pair.

"I'm getting the games I want, my fitness is up there now, and I'm scoring goals - it feels good," said the England international.

"I haven't been fit in all of the time I've been here, but training together has shown we can do it (as a partnership) and against Brighton we showed we can score goals up front together.

"We've been training well together so when it comes to a game it's just natural.

"You saw against Brighton we both got on the scoresheet, so it's coming off."

Carroll has started nine of the last 13 matches, mainly thanks to the enforced absence of Suarez, but he is under no illusions his place in the side is guaranteed.

"We've got a great team and a great squad, so the manager could put anyone in and anyone will do a job," he added.

"I've just got to work hard this week and try to get myself in the starting XI.

"You've always got to stay on your toes and train well to stay in your position."

Carroll will hope to retain his place for Sunday's Carling Cup final against npower Championship side Cardiff.

The former Newcastle striker has never been to a final at Wembley and admits the excitement is growing.

"I am buzzing and can't wait for it. All of the lads are the same. It's a cup final at Wembley for Liverpool, so it's great," he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"I came here to win medals. Getting to Wembley is great - now hopefully we can go there and get the win."

Cardiff, who have been to Wembley twice in the last four years, will not be underestimated by Liverpool though.

"It will be a tough game. They have got to the final too and they've got there for a reason," said Carroll.

"I know they are in the league below but they're a good team, so it's a going to be difficult.

"We've got to go and think we're playing against Manchester United.

"We've got to treat it as though they are the best team we'll play against."

Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam, who was a goalscorer at Wembley for Blackpool in their play-off victory over Cardiff in 2010, agrees.

"We expect a tough game. They have maybe not had the rub of the green (in the past) when they've reached the play-offs," he said.

"They've been to the final obviously, when they played against Blackpool, but I knew that day that there would be only one winner.

"But this Cardiff side are a good side, with some good players. There are a couple of my international team-mates playing there, and they have got a good manager as well.

"It will be a tough game, but if we play anything like our best then we will have a great chance of winning the trophy."

PA