Cole: I want to prove myself
Joe Cole today spoke of his determination to show Liverpool fans exactly what he's capable of this season after admitting: "I have something to prove to them."
Having spent the 2011-12 campaign on loan at French club Lille, the 30-year-old returned to Melwood earlier this week to begin pre-season training with the Reds under new manager Brendan Rodgers.
Cole is relishing the prospect of being a part of an exciting new era at Anfield - and insists he's eager to show supporters he has plenty to offer to the cause.
"It's great to be back," the playmaker told Liverpoolfc.com. "It's a clean slate for everyone, so I'm delighted to be back. Training has been good - and it's nice to be back in England and nice to be back in Liverpool."
Cole was one of Europe's most wanted footballers two summers ago when he left Chelsea on a free transfer.
Liverpool beat competition from a number of other elite clubs to land his signature, though a red card on his Barclays Premier League debut for the club against Arsenal set the tone for a season disrupted by injury.
Asked whether he felt he had something to prove to Liverpool fans, Cole replied: "Of course. I don't want to leave Liverpool one day having not been a success here or having left something here. I want to make an imprint at the club.
"I've been a success at West Ham, Chelsea and Lille - I don't want people to be able to say that I haven't here.
"I'd like to be given the opportunity to play, learn and improve, and join this great team. It's a great group and I would like to be involved in this team and really push on."
Cole continued: "If I get given a chance to play, I'll always give my best and give everything I've got to the team. I came here for one reason - because I wanted to be a part of the resurgence of this club.
"It excited me coming here because I knew what a big club it was with a rich history and I wanted to be part of something. I still do. The fire still burns in me to be a part of it - I want to be part of this club moving in the right direction.
"Obviously when I came here, I was sent off in my first game and had a few little niggly injury problems. I think I only played something like 700-odd minutes of Premier League football in that season, so it was a tough season for me - by far and away the worst season in my career because I didn't get going.
"I'd like to improve on that. I'd like to be a part of this great club, this team and everything about it - the city and everything."
Cole's time at Lille was undeniably a success, as he notched four goals and several assists in 27 appearances to help Les Dogues secure a Champions League berth.
The Liverpool No.10 believes the time spent in Ligue 1 has ensured he's returned to Melwood a better all-around footballer.
He said: "I loved it (in France). It was a risk and a gamble to come away from the Premier League - I'd never been away (before), but I went with my family to experience something new.
"I loved the football and we had a successful season. The prerogative was for us to finish third and we managed that. It was a good group of lads and a good team at Lille.
"I'd always wanted to play abroad and sometimes you think the chance to do so at a good level may have passed by, but it was great and I really enjoyed the experience."
Cole continued: "I would hope (I've returned to Liverpool a better player) because I am all about that. I love my football, I love training and I love learning - and I did learn a lot out there. It opened my eyes to a new way of approaching football and the continental way. I really loved the style of play we had - not many teams in the Premier League use it.
"I'm always trying to learn, pick up new things and improve myself. What else are you going to do? I strive to get better every day."
After the conclusion of his spell in France, Cole spent time in Spain to recharge ahead of his return to Merseyside.
With the post-season break now over for many, Cole joined his Liverpool teammates at Melwood on Wednesday to begin preparations for 2012-13 - and he admits to feeling right back at home.
"I've slipped straight back in as though I've never been gone," he said. "I've got a lot of friends here and I love all of the people at the club. Sometimes you can get a bit of a feeling coming back to a club that maybe things have changed, but I've just come straight back in.
"What I did miss in France was being around the banter and the English players and everyone around the (training) ground.
"The one thing you miss as a player if you haven't got it is just having a little bit of banter every day. I'm loving being able to do that again.
"I can't wait for the new season. I've had the longest rest I've ever had off in my career, but I started getting itchy feet after about three weeks!
"There is nothing better than being a footballer. There are millions of men who'd love to be in my position - and I genuinely just love it (being a footballer).
"People used to say as you get older, you get other things in your life such as your family and football becomes less important, but for me I love it more and more. I can't get enough - I dread the day I have to hang my boots up!"
Cole may have only been back at Liverpool for a matter of days, but the England international believes he can already sense what could be the start of something special.
He reflected: "It feels different. You have to remember, I've only been at Liverpool one season, really, but this is the third manager I've played for. It does feel different this time - it feels like it's ready to go. "
"The fans will stick with us and we can do it all together - we can get the club back to where it should be."