West Ham United head coach Slaven Bilic says it is up to Andy Carroll to stay fit and become an asset for the Hammers after he scored in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Liverpool.

The former Reds striker punished his old club by heading in Mark Noble’s cross to give the Hammers a two-goal lead early in the second half.

Michail Antonio had scored the opener after 10 minutes at Upton Park with victory leaving Bilic’s side handily placed in sixth in the Premier League standings.

The goal was Carroll’s third of the season and he is now just two behind his tally for the entire of last season. The Gateshead-born targetman has endured a tough four years in east London due to a succession of injuries.

However, 26-year-old is now reaping the benefits of full fitness. Speaking to the club’s website, Bilic put the onus on the striker to maintain his condition and form.

He said: “Everything Andy did today was good; defending, holding the ball up, I think every ball Adrian put up he got, and we put up quite a few.

“Now he is fit, it is all about him. He needs to train hard every day and work hard to improve. Then, and only then, will he become a great asset for us. It is up to him.”

With two goals in as many games the former Newcastle United man has been talked about in terms of the England squad ahead of friendly matches in March.

Bilic believes his number nine is good enough to return to the international scene – three years after his last cap – but won’t hurry the powerful forward.

He said: “He has all the quality to be in the England squad in the Euros, of course.

“I don’t want to talk about the national side too much. Does he have the quality? Of course, he just needs to perform like this over a series of games.”

Victory over Jurgen Klopp’s side on Saturday means West Ham have now completed a league double over the Reds for the first time in 52 years.

And Bilic was quick to talk up the importance of the team rather than merely the two goalscorers.

He said: “It was a great way to start the New Year. Liverpool are a team that everyone wants to beat, so this win is great for the fans.

“The scorers will probably grab the headlines but it was a real team effort. The scorers are the cherry on top of the cake.

“It is a great achievement to beat Liverpool twice, everyone is buzzing. But particularly to do it at home, in front of our fans is a very good feeling which we will feel for several days.”

West Ham host Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round at Upton Park on Saturday before travelling to Bournemouth on Tuesday evening in the Premier League.