Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Andy Carroll's quality means he will always be linked with rival clubs.

The England striker, who scored against Sweden during the European Championship, has been recently linked with a move to AC Milan.

Carroll enjoyed a mixed 2011/12 campaign, only scoring four Premier League goals but ending the campaign well as he netted in the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Andy Carroll
Carroll has enjoyed an indifferent career at Liverpool. Reuters

And Rodgers, who has already spoken to Carroll ahead of the new season, says the 23 year old's ability means he's always likely to be linked with moves away from Anfield.

"He's a good player, Andy," Rodgers said. "He will always be linked whether he was here or not.

"I have spoken to Andy on his holidays and he knows exactly where he stands. He's a very good young player and he will be linked with clubs like that because he's such a good player."

"I haven't heard anything from them at all."

The former Newcastle United striker is still to settle at Liverpool following his move during the 2011 January transfer.

He's netted just 11 goals in 18 months for Liverpool after a £35m move from St James' Park saw him become the most expensive English player in football transfer history.

Impressive form during the twilight of the campaign earned him a spot in Roy Hodgson's European Championship squad, which saw him start England's second game against Sweden.

Carroll inspired England to their first win of the finals, heading in from Steven Gerrard's cross; sparking a 3-2 win in Kiev.

Meanwhile, as Carroll was staring for country, Rodgers has been configuring his plans for the new campaign, assessing a squad which failed to qualify for the Champions League for a third successive season.

Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani have both earned lifelines in their Reds career and are both likely to stay on and fight for places in the new season, despite loan spells during the last campaign.

After just a single season on Merseyside, Cole spent last term on loan at Lille, while Aquilani, who returns to the fourth different Liverpool manager during his four-year career with the Premier League side, has spent successive seasons with Serie A giants Juventus and AC Milan.