Liverpool boss Hodgson tells Cole to stop moaning

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has warned Joe Cole that he needs to stop moaning and start doing the business on the pitch for Liverpool after a disappointing start to the season.

The former Chelsea player arrived at Anfield on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer and was hailed as a player who could help transform Liverpool into title contenders once more after the Reds endured an abysmal season in 2009/10.

Instead, Cole has cut an anonymous figure on Merseyside since his arrival and has endured a frustrating season due to injuries and lack of form.

Some pundits have suggested that Cole’s below par performances are down to the fact that he is not being deployed in his favoured attacking midfield berth, but Hodgson insists that Cole needs to stop looking for excuses and start delivering the goods.

"I think he has got to do it on the field of play,” Hodgson said.

"With all the best will in the world, people can be in support or not in support, some will say he's not doing it, and some will say he's unlucky because he's not playing in the right position.

"But I don't have any truck with that. Joe is a midfield player, and what's the right position for a midfield player? Steven Gerrard has played all over midfield for as long as I can remember.

"Joe has to come to terms with the fact that he has come here after an unsuccessful period at Chelsea with high hopes of taking Liverpool by storm and unfortunately it's not happened. That's life.

"He should have great confidence in his ability as he is a very good footballer. As far as I am concerned, everything he has to say should be said on that patch of green grass.

"He should be convincing me and everyone watching that this is a player who can help Liverpool win things. And I think you couldn't say that has been the case so far."

Cole is set to return to the Liverpool side over the Christmas period and despite his criticism of the player, Hodgson has insisted that he can be a success on Merseyside.

"He'll get plenty of chances because we'll need everybody,” added Hodgson.

“I have not lost faith in him in any way.

"He is a good footballer. But you can't deny the start he wanted has not materialised.

"I don't care how many things are written or said, you can't make black into white.

"But he is training well, it seems to me that his confidence is gradually returning and all Joe needs is a couple of good games or maybe a goal and that could turn things around for him.

"You'll have to ask him what isn't working. If he says the only place he can play is behind the striker, he is limiting his chances of playing here.

"We also have Gerrard and Meireles who can play in that position, and we also have a situation where at the moment quite often we are playing with two strikers.

"I would be sad to hear him saying something like that, because he would be suggesting he can't do what he has done so often in the past for England and Chelsea, which is playing in a different position."