• Europa League

Rodgers plays down injury to Joe Cole

ESPN staff
August 3, 2012
Joe Cole came off as a precaution © PA Photos
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Brendan Rodgers insists Joe Cole's hamstring injury is not serious after the midfielder was substituted during Liverpool's 1-0 Europa League third qualifying round victory over Gomel.

Cole, who spent last season on loan at Lille, lasted just 23 minutes before he was replaced by 17-year-old Raheem Sterling at the Central Stadion in Belarus. But Rodgers says Cole will be fit for the start of the Premier League season.

"Joe just felt his hamstring a little bit," Rodgers said. "I don't think it is totally pulled and it was just a little bit of tightness so we had to take him off. It disrupted our plans a little bit but it was better to have him come off rather than risk injury."

After the win, Rodgers urged supporters to be patient as the former Swansea boss looks to build a successful campaign with his new club.

"It will take time until Liverpool start playing the way Swansea did last season (tactically)," he said. "Actually the way you play depends on the players you have.

"As for today I saw two things which were very important for me, I saw desire and commitment. I am very grateful to my players for a good game. Obviously it was a serious test of the players' fitness and I am really happy with the result.

"This was my first competitive game in charge of Liverpool and for me it didn't really matter whether the game was played in Belarus or Brazil as I am really honoured to manage this side."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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