West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes that striker Andy Carroll was worth the £35million that Liverpool paid for him in January 2011.

The 26-year-old moved to Anfield from Newcastle on deadline day that year but failed to live up to expectations, only scoring six goals in 44 league appearances for the club.

The England international went on to join Allardyce at the Hammers where he has helped guide the Irons to the higher reaches of the Premier League table this season.

Now his 60-year-old-boss has revealed he believes the £35million price then Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish paid for the frontman was the right value for the player at the time.

He said: “Kenny saw him as wanting to lead the line with Suarez and they bought him. Because he never had a long time to establish himself – and a new manager came in with a different philosophy – he leaves.”

The former Bolton boss has also referred to Luis Suarez’ transfer to Barcelona last summer, believing that prices that seem large initially can end up being referred to as bargains further down the line.

He added: “What did Barca pay for Suarez? £80million? At the time, people think that was over-priced, but when you’re giving them a five or six-year contract and, if two or three years down the line they are developing as good as you expect, then everyone else talks about it as a bargain.”

Allardyce will be hoping Carroll can help the Hammers continue their impressive season in both the league and cup, with the Irons currently 8.50 to win the FA Cup ahead of their fifth-round trip to The Hawthorns to take on West Brom next month.