Liverpool manager prepared to be patient with Joe Cole

Liverpool supporters were very excited about the arrival of Joe Cole last summer, while several Chelsea players and supporters raised an eyebrow as to why the winger had been allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.

However, with only a few months of the season remaining, it is fair to say that the 29-year-old has not made an impression in a red shirt to date, with injury plaguing him throughout the campaign.

Cole made his latest reappearance on Thursday night as a substitute away to Sparta Prague in the Europa League and manager Kenny Dalglish has preached patience when it comes to the winger.

“We have got to be patient with Joe. That his first run out since I came here,” said Dalglish.

“That is a great start for him, to get himself on the pitch and get an hour won’t do him any harm.

“Joe is a valuable asset for us. Obviously he is not going to pick his form up immediately, if he does it will be a real bonus for us.

“But we are not going to put him under pressure and expect him to be the Joe Cole who came to Liverpool in the summer.”