Andy Carroll
Carroll was at his best in Newcastle. REUTERS

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is targeting a place in Sunday's Carling Cup final and believes he has begun to justify his £35m price-tag, 13 months after his record-breaking move from Newcastle.

Carroll, 23, has struggled to hold down a place in the Reds' starting XI since he became Britain's most expensive player last January.

However, the Liverpool forward, who has scored two goals in his last three appearances, insists he has benefited from an extended run of starts and is hopeful the last few weeks represent a turning point in his Anfield career.

Carroll scored one goal and created another for Luis Suarez in Sunday's 6-1 defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup but the striker has admitted he has found life on Merseyside tough over the last 13 months.

"I feel like I am doing well and have just started to get going," Carroll is quoted in the Guardian. "I am scoring goals and I feel like I am doing well in games now.

"It's all starting to come together for me. This is the best I've felt since I have been here, without a doubt. I feel fit and confident and I think it is showing in my performances.

"I'm getting around the pitch more and getting involved. I think it shows that I am happier and more confident. I'm just pleased that things are going right."

Carroll's resurgence has come at an ideal time for Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who recently welcomed back Suarez from suspension.

The striker responded memorably to Dalglish's call for players to cement their Wembley places during the FA Cup clash with Brighton, with Stewart Downing also singled out for praise.

The match was the first time Carroll, Suarez and Steven Gerrard have started a game together for Liverpool since the two forwards joined the club in January 2011.

"It was great and all three of us scored," said Carroll, although Gerrard's effort was later re-classified as an own goal by Liam Bridcutt. "The whole team played well, we gelled together and we passed it well. We got the goals that we have been lacking. For me it was nice to get one in front of the Kop, it was a great ball from Stewie [Downing]. He picked me out and all I had to do was put it in the back of the net."

"We have got a massive squad and everyone can play a part in it," he said. "We have got such a good team; anyone could come in and play. You have just got to work hard in training. I've never been to a cup final. I'm just hoping we can win it now."