• Premier League

Cole still in Dalglish's plans

ESPNsoccernet staff
February 18, 2011
Joe Cole has been given a vote of confidence by manager Kenny Dalglish © PA Photos
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Interim Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish insists Joe Cole will rediscover his form and prove to be a success at Anfield.

Cole made his first appearance under Dalglish in Thursday night's goalless draw away at Sparta Prague in the Europa League when replacing the injured Fabio Aurelio. But as has been the case throughout Cole's Liverpool career his touch was poor and he struggled to make an impression on the game.

Dalglish believes that he will see the best of Cole, who joined Liverpool on a free transfer last summer after being released by Premier League champions Chelsea, once he gets back to full fitness after struggling with hamstring and knee injuries.

The midfielder has started only 12 games all season for Liverpool as a player who was seen as a key capture ahead of the 2010-11 season has failed to live up to his billing.

"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.

"We want to give him a bit of time and make sure he gets there. Form is temporary, class is permanent and that is where we stand with Joe. We'll give him a bit of time to get up to speed and then we'll judge him. Joe needs his injury rebuilding so we'll get that right first."

Dalglish was also optimistic he would have both captain Steven Gerrard and defender Daniel Agger back for the return leg.

"We'll see when we go back. I don't think he'll (Gerrard) be too long before he's fit and I don't think Daniel Agger will be too much of a problem either,'' Dalglish revealed. "We left Martin Kelly and Martin Skrtel out as well because young Martin Kelly has been through an awful lot in the last seven games and has been playing with a few bumps and bruises.

"This gave him the opportunity to refresh himself, and Martin Skrtel got injured at Chelsea but carried on and we didn't want to take a chance.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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