Source: Daily_Mail
Joe Cole: Liverpool must work hard ahead of Arsenal start
Joe Cole admits Liverpool's players have plenty of work to do to be ready for the Barclays Premier League opener against Arsenal next weekend.[LNB]The Reds completed the easiest of 4-0 aggregate victories over Rabotnicki after beating the Macedonians 2-0 at Anfield last night in their Europa League third qualifying round second-leg tie.[LNB]Although the display was encouraging no-one will be fooled by a performance in what was effectively a pre-season friendly.[LNB] Red alert: Joe Cole has warned Liverpool have to work hard to ensure they are ready to face Arsenal in their opening game of the season[LNB]When Liverpool next appear at Anfield it will be on Sunday week when they host Arsenal in what is the biggest fixture of the opening weekend of the league season.[LNB]By then Cole hopes he and his team-mates will have moved up a gear, but even then the England international stressed Roy Hodgson's side should be judged over an entire season and not just the first few matches.[LNB]'We've had two [competitive] games now and we've got Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Pepe Reina and the others to come back,' said Cole.[LNB]'We've got a lot to work on and there is a lot for us to do. We've got to come together and continue to improve.[LNB]'We have to keep working hard every day on the training pitch and go from there. We know we've got a long way to go.[LNB]'You can't assess anything on the first six games of the season, you have to judge us in May.[LNB] Looking forward: Cole says he is excited about the return of Spain striker Fernando Torres[LNB]'All Premier League games are tough; sometimes the ones that seem easier are the ones that turn out to be the tougher ones.'[LNB]Cole did much to enhance his relationship with the Anfield faithful after a promising home debut against Rabotnicki and the 28-year-old is determined to cement his place in the supporters' affections.[LNB]'I loved it, playing for Liverpool for the first time at Anfield,' said the midfielder, who was given his preferred central attacking role in front of Steven Gerrard and behind lone striker David Ngog.[LNB]'It would have been nice to get a goal but I'm just pleased to be a part of this great team.[LNB]'I love playing centrally and playing alongside Stevie Gerrard is really enjoyable.[LNB]It's always special to play at Anfield in front of the Kop and I just want to work hard for these supporters and try to make sure we get some good results for them.'[LNB] Heading up: Skipper Steven Gerrard is confident Cole can fire Liverpool to glory[LNB]England team-mate Gerrard is confident Cole can help bring success back to a club which has not won a trophy since 2006.[LNB]'Our fans pay good money to see us play good football and I thought Joe was brilliant in his first game at Anfield,' said the Reds captain.[LNB]'We are hoping this will be a successful season for the club and I'm sure Joe will enjoy it here and have a big part to play.[LNB]'We've got a good manager here and he has brought some good additions into the squad. [LNB]'Hopefully there will be a few more to come and I don't see why this can't bea successful season for us.'[LNB] Sign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsEUROPA LEAGUE DRAW: Liverpool draw Turks while City face RomaniansChina's Liverpool bid promises huge transfer fund, new stadium and end to debts... but no windfall for unpopular American ownersPhilipp Degen moves to Stuttgart on loan after A miserable two years at LiverpoolLIVERPOOL FC
