Rafael Benitez: 'I could have signed Andy Carroll'

Rafael Benitez has revealed that Liverpool could have signed striker Andy Carroll when he was still their manager for far less than £35m.

The Reds made the 23-year-old the most expensive British footballer of all time in January 2011 when they signed him from Newcastle United following the departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50m that same day.

"He played in the FA Youth Cup at Anfield in 2009 and we were watching him, a young player with power," The Mirror quotes Benitez as saying.

"It was an option and he was cheaper. Take the three off the £35m. And the five. It was quite cheap!"

Benitez is now serving as the Chelsea manager.