West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan believes that Andy Carroll still has a point to prove to his parent club Liverpool.

The 24-year-old, who is currently on loan at the Hammers from Anfield, "loves Liverpool", according to Nolan.

Nolan has insisted that the England striker was "harshly treated" by the Merseyside club, but also claimed that Carroll is still hungry to show he is good enough for Brendan Rodgers's side.

"He loves Liverpool," Nolan told The Mirror. "He still wants to prove to everybody that he is good enough to play there. He has got that hunger - that is what people don't see.

"Andy was probably a bit harshly treated at Liverpool. I think most Liverpool fans were quite shocked at what happened to him in pre-season and him getting loaned out, but that's football.

"You just have to take it on the chin. He's big enough and ugly enough to do that and get on with it. I think he's done that."

Carroll has made 12 appearances for Sam Allardyce's side this season, scoring two goals.