Source: PA
Dalglish will be patient with Cole
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists Joe Cole will be given all the time he needs to rediscover his best form after a disappointing and disjointed start to his Reds career.
The former Chelsea midfielder made his first appearance under Dalglish, and his first in a red shirt since January 5, as a substitute in the goalless Europa League draw against Sparta Prague.
It was only the 29-year-old's 19th game for the club he joined in the summer as a result of suspension and, more lately, hamstring and knee injuries.
The game in the Czech capital was not the easiest for him to make his comeback in but Dalglish said there was plenty of time for the England international to rediscover his best form.
"We have got to be patient with Joe. That his first run-out since I came here," said Dalglish, who took over from Roy Hodgson on January 8. "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."
