• Europa League

Hodgson questions stuttering Cole

ESPN staff
December 16, 2010
Joe Cole was left to rue a missed chance late on against Utrecht © Getty Images
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Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has criticised the form of midfielder Joe Cole.

Cole arrived at Anfield on a free transfer billed as the man to inject some craft into Liverpool's play under Hodgson. However, he has failed to match those expectations and threw in a below-par display in the 0-0 draw with Utrecht in the Europa League.

Cole was by no means alone in not showing his true worth in a much changed side, but Hodgson said: "He knows he is better than that and he knows he can do better than that.

"He sets himself high standards and I'm sure he came off the field feeling it was not the performance he wanted to give."

Cole missed a late chance and Hodgson added: "Players like Joe play on very small margins. If he had struck the shot less well he would probably have scored.

"We are all a bit disappointed by the game. It wasn't for the want of trying or that we weren't interested.

"It was disappointing that with so many new people watching us, we couldn't produce a real performance for them.

"It wasn't a classic but Utrecht play really well away from home, keep the ball and cause problems."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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