Cole backed to shine at Liverpool

Last updated : 18 July 2011 By England MAD

Cole, 29, endured a disappointing first season on Merseyside after moving north on a free transfer from Chelsea.

He was sent off in the Reds' first Premier League game of last season and within a week missed a penalty in a Europa League tie against Trabzonspor.

The England international started just nine league matches in total and there had been question marks over whether he would be kept on for the new season. But Kenny

Dalglish's No.2 Clarke – who also worked with Cole at Stamford Bridge – has been impressed by how Cole has acquitted himself in pre-season.

"At the end of last season he was not getting in the team because the team was playing well," he said.

"But he has gone away, trained hard and had a good summer. Joe Cole is a top international player and he has a big contribution to make to the future. He is the same Joe Cole I coached at Chelsea, just a couple of years older and a little bit wiser.

"He knows the position he is in. It has been difficult for him because he has not been involved but when he gets the chance it is up to him to take it."