Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted record signing Andy Carroll could be sold this summer - but insists a loan move away from Anfield will not be entertained.
Carroll, who left Newcastle to join Liverpool in January 2011 for a club record £35milion, has been linked with a number of clubs in recent days, with his former club the bookmakers' favourites to secure his services should he leave Merseyside this summer.
Newcastle failed with an initial bid for the target man at the weekend but are expected to return with an improved offer.
And although Rodgers insists the 23-year-old is still a Liverpool player, he has admitted he is ready to let him go should the offer be right.
"There has been a lot written and spoken about him but first and foremost Andy is a Liverpool player," he told the club's official website.
"To consider a loan period for someone the club spent £35million on isn't something we're looking to do at this moment in time.
"Andy will be the same as every other player - if there's ever an offer that comes in we'd look at it as a club and see if it's going to be worthwhile for the club and the team as a whole.
"The club invested £35million in him. People talk about whether he can fit into my style or not, but if you're a club and you spend £35million on a player you'd like to think he can fit into whatever style the team plays.
"He's a good player. He'll join the rest of the group next week and we'll take it from there."
Newcastle are believed to have offered Liverpool £13m for the England international, with Liverpool understood to want at least £20m.