Watch Liverpool

• Manager reveals captain’s role in signing of England midfielder
• Would suggest that 30-year-old is set to remain with club

Roy Hodgson, the Liverpool manager, has given a clear indication that Steven Gerrard is to remain with the club after claiming the midfielder played an integral role in persuading Joe Cole to move to Anfield.

Cole yesterday agreed a four-year deal with Liverpool after being released by Chelsea at the end of last season. It has been suggested that the 28-year-old, who was also wanted by Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, is a replacement for Gerrard, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer.

However, it would appear the 30-year-old sees his long-term future at Liverpool. According to Hodgson, it was he, along with Jamie Carragher, who told Cole during England’s recent World Cup campaign in South Africa that Anfield rather than White Hart Lane or the Emirates Stadium was the place to be.

“Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard did a good job in selling the club to Joe at the recent World Cup,” said Hodgson. “He [Cole] was undecided about what he wanted to do and to be fair it takes a bit more selling to persuade a Londoner who has played all his life in London to move up to Liverpool. The simple solution would have been to stay in the London area.

“I am pleased to get the player because it is very important to try to improve our squad as much as we can in order to reach the high goals we have set ourselves,” Hodgson told Talksport. “It is also pleasing the reaction of the fans has been as positive as our reaction, so at the moment that is perfect. Now it is up to Joe to show on the field he is the right man.”

Cole is Liverpool’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of the Serbia international Milan Jovanovic, also on a free transfer.

Yossi Benayoun and Emiliano Insúa have left the club while Javier Mascherano is expected to do the same. The future of Fernando Torres also remains unclear.

Joe ColeLiverpoolguardian.co.uk