No Christmas Carroll for Reds

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is getting the team closer to where it should be - especially when compared to last season - which is to be challenging for titles and trophies.

The frustrating thing is the Reds have failed to beat the likes of Sunderland, Swansea, Norwich and Blackburn at Anfield this season despite creating more than enough chances to win every game. It is no wonder they have one of the lowest goals-to-shots ratios in the Barclays Premier League this season.

It is just an excuse to say they've been unlucky. The reality is: The Reds are relying too much on Luis Suarez to score the goals.

The Uruguayan has already fired in an incredible 86 shots at goal this season (prior to the Newcastle match) which is one of the highest for a single player in Barclays Premier League at the moment.

Liverpool needs another striker to step up and take some of the scoring load off from Suarez's shoulder.

Andy Carroll is not the answer.

It has been almost a year since Liverpool paid Newcastle £35million for the 6ft 3in Englishman and he has returned the favour with a measly five goals. In stark contrast, Newcastle went out in the summer to find a replacement for Carroll when they signed Demba Ba on a free transfer - after West Ham's relegation triggered a release clause in his contract -and he's already scored 14 goals this season.

Carroll has to be top of the tree at the moment for biggest flops of the season so far.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will definitely need to search for quality buys in the winter transfer window - especially when you consider that Manchester United can put out a weakened team and beat Wigan 5-0 while the Reds could only draw against Roberto Martinez's side.

By the way, Manchester United have been the most clinical team in the Barclays Premier League so far by converting 21% of their chances into goals while Liverpool lag behind with an 8% conversion rate.

Chelsea are another team which are struggling at the moment for consistency. I have to say I have been very disappointed with their new manager Andre Villas-Boas. He doesn't seem to know what his best formation is or even what his best team is.

In the Boxing Day clash with Fulham he took off Daniel Sturridge when Chelsea were still chasing a winning goal - the game ended 1-1.

Sturridge had either scored (5) or assisted (1) a goal in each of Chelsea's last six Barclays Premier League games prior to playing Fulham.

I expected better from the Portuguese tactician than what he's shown so far.

ESPNSTAR pundit Steve McMahon was speaking before Liverpool's game with Newcastle on Friday December 30, 2012.

Steve McMahon's Predictions

Liverpool vs Newcastle

Kenny Dalglish's men have been really disappointing at home and they will no doubt be given a stiff test by Newcastle at Anfield. With Luis Suarez banned for the match, I expect the likes of Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt to step up and provide the much-needed goals for Liverpool.

Prediction: 2-0 (HT: 1-0)

Man United vs Blackburn

The Red Devils are on fire at the moment. What's so good about them is it doesn't matter what team Sir Alex Ferguson puts out, as they will tend to go on and finish the job. It will be no different against Blackburn this time.

Prediction: 3-0 (HT: 2-0)

Arsenal vs QPR

Prediction: 3-0 (HT: 2-0)

Bolton vs Wolves

Prediction: 2-1 (HT: 1-0)

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

Prediction: 2-0 (HT: 1-0)

Norwich vs Fulham

Prediction: 1-1 (HT: 0-0)

Stoke vs Wigan

Prediction: 2-0 (HT: 1-0)

Swansea vs Tottenham

Prediction: 0-2 (HT: 0-1)

West Brom vs Everton

Prediction: 1-1 (HT: 0-0)

Sunderland vs Man City

Prediction: 0-2 (HT: 0-1)