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Good article here on Jimmy Cater, one of Kenny's more infamous signings. Looks like he's playing for the legends now. Jimmy Carter on his Liverpool FC heartache and Kenny Dalglish's eye for a player By Ben Thornley Jun 16 2011 3ShareAdd a commentRecommend (3) As Liverpool’s summer spending continues, Kenny Dalglish’s transfer judgement receives backing from an unlikely source – Jimmy Carter, a player often described as his biggest failure HISTORY may not remember his move to Liverpool kindly, but Jimmy Carter has a fond keepsake of his short spell at Anfield. For two decades he has endured the jibes of Liverpool supporters and the harsh words of critics who gave him the label of Kenny Dalglish’s poorest signing and an indication the Scot was struggling with the pressure which prompted his resignation in 1991. “People have long memories,” says the 45-year-old. Yet many forget that Carter – who has backed Dalglish’s eye for a player, now and 20 years ago – made a blistering start to his Liverpool career. Days after completing his £750,000 move from Milwall in the January of 1991, he made an impressive debut in a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa before claiming the man-of-the-match Champagne in his next outing against Wimbledon. The unopened bottle still takes pride of place in his house. “I signed on the Wednesday or Thursday and went straight into the side playing in front of 52,000 people at Villa Park,” says Carter, who was once hauled off by Graeme Souness shortly after being brought on from the bench. “We drew 0-0 but we dominated and deserved three points. “In the next game against Wimbledon I was awarded the man-of-the-match award. I still have the bottle of champagne, which I’ll be showing to the grandkids.” However, Carter – speaking at the inaugural British Airways Football Legends Invitational Tournament in Barbados where he was playing for Liverpool – has now represented the club on more occasions in masters football than he did as a professional. Only a month after recruiting the pacy winger, Dalglish quit Liverpool because of stress-induced poor health following a turbulent two years. The loss of his biggest backer shook the confidence of Carter who failed to recapture his early Anfield form. And the arrival of Souness as Dalglish’s long-term successor ended his Liverpool career after just five games and two starts. He was sold to Arsenal for £500,000 in October 1991 but never fulfilled the promise he had shown at Milwall. “When I signed it was a great joy to be asked to play for Liverpool. It was a great honour for me to wear the red shirt,” says Carter, who had terrorised the Reds defence in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at The Den in the 1989/90 season. “Kenny signed me in the January of 1991 and by February he was gone. You can imagine from my point of view I was totally deflated. “When King Kenny comes in for you, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. “Graeme Souness came in and said straightaway that I wasn’t going to be for him and within 10 months I’d gone. “I wanted to stay but I wasn’t going to take a stance, there was no use hanging on. “It knocked my confidence big time. I don’t think I ever recovered from it.” Despite the personal pain caused by his rejection, his biggest regret is leaving a blemish on Dalglish’s transfer record. Carter, a tricky, pacy winger in his prime, said: “I get a bit of stick now and again from Liverpool fans and outsiders who say ‘what the hell was Kenny doing?’. “In a way I feel like I’ve let Kenny down because I wasn’t successful there. That’s the bottom line. “You can look and this and that, but for whatever reason I didn’t make it at Liverpool. For me that is a great regret because Kenny is a true gentleman and a fantastic guy. “For him to have that blot on his transfer record, I feel sorry.” Defending the signing of Carter, who was bought as back-up to John Barnes and Ray Houghton, Dalglish wrote in his autobiography, ‘My Liverpool Home’: “Jimmy was what I felt we needed. “He had pace, could go right or left. “I think Liverpool were just too big for him. In the end Jimmy felt inhibited by Anfield, which was a disappointment because he could have given us an extra dimension.” But Carter, now a property developer, rejects that explanation. “I wouldn’t go along with that to be fair,” he insists. “Kenny leaving was a big blow to me. He had watched me for a number of years. He knew I was comfortable on the ball and could play the Liverpool way. But it wasn’t to be. “For me, I felt very comfortable with the quality Liverpool had there. “I was never in awe of any of the lads, they made you feel so welcome anyway.” Even before Carter signed for the Reds there were complaints from supporters and the media that he was “not a Liverpool player”. As the Reds’ summer rebuilding continues, there have been similar grumblings from some fans about the list of names linked to Anfield, with Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli targeting young, predominantly English players. Carter, though, insists there are few better judges of talent in football. “I think Kenny is knowledgeable enough to go for any player he believes can improve the side and help Liverpool challenge for the title, whether he’s English or otherwise,” he says. “Kenny wouldn’t discriminate. Anyone he feels will benefit the club, he’ll be in there wanting to sign them. “He has a great eye for a player. His transfer record is up there with the very best.” Follow me on Twitter @BThornley_DPOST Jimmy Carter on his Liverpool FC heartache and Kenny Dalglish's eye for a player - Liverpool FC - Sport News - Daily Post North Wales