'The boss has impressed us all'
Joe Cole has revealed how Brendan Rodgers has already made a positive impression on everyone at Melwood – and believes he has all the right attributes to lead Liverpool into a successful new era.
For many of the Reds squad returning to Melwood earlier this month to begin pre-season training, it was a first opportunity to meet the Northern Irishman following his appointment at the Anfield helm on June 1.
Cole, however, already has experience of working alongside Rodgers from the duo's time at Chelsea, where Liverpool's boss was a member of the backroom team prior to beginning his managerial career.
The 30-year-old, therefore, is well placed to discuss the way in which the Northern Irishman likes to work.
"What you get from him is honesty - he's made that perfectly clear - and you're going to know where you stand," Cole told Liverpoolfc.com during a chat at Melwood.
"Tactically, he's very astute. You look at what he did not just at Swansea, but also when he was at Watford. He's been a success, he's young and hungry.
"I think a lot of clubs are steering towards that in English football now. He's going to be a success at Liverpool and if we all stick together and pull round, we can do some great things at this club."
Cole added: "I know him from my Chelsea days when he was there and I can't see anything other than positive things.
"When I was hearing about Liverpool looking at certain managers, I was praying it was going to be Brendan - not just because he's not an unknown for me and I know his philosophy on football, but I think for the club the owners have made the right choice. He has just impressed everyone so much since he's been here."
Rodgers has been eager to embrace the Liverpool way since arriving at the club - and Cole insists his efforts have not gone unnoticed by anyone, be it players or staff.
"It's been a breath of fresh air," he said. "A new manager always brings a lift, but the gaffer has come in and really impressed everyone.
"You talk to anyone - any of the players to the ground staff to the guys on the door - everyone is really impressed with him.
"The manager has made it clear, it's not just the players it's everyone in and around the club. For us to get the results we want, we've all got to come together."
Rodgers has spoke openly about his desire to implement a quick, passing game at Anfield.
That particular style of play has yielded great success for the likes of the Spanish national team and Barcelona, and while Cole believes it's an approach he will benefit from, he's keen to stress it will require time for the manager to fully apply his philosophies.
"That style is what I was brought up with at West Ham and Chelsea," he said. "At West Ham, we didn't have the top, top players, but we always tried to play. At Chelsea, we always tried to get the ball down and play and move it.
"For me, that is football. I love the style of play. At Lille, we played like that as well - getting the ball down and moving.
"I think sometimes in English football, people automatically think you need to be aggressive - but look at Spain. No-one works harder than Spain. They pass and move the ball quickly, and sometimes physically it's harder to do that because you're constantly on the move and you're fighting and have to be dogged.
"I firmly believe in that and I think it's the way forward in football for footballers and clubs now. We've seen Spain and Barcelona and how successful they are. The top teams get the ball down and play and move - and that's what we're going to try and implement here.
"But it takes time to change things - and great things take time. It's going to be a building process. As long as we stick together and try to do what the manager wants us to do, this club will move steadily forward again."
Having spent the entire 2011-12 season on loan at Lille, Cole recently told Liverpoolfc.com how he felt he had something to prove to Reds fans.
He added: "The manager knows what I can do. He's seen me in France and knows what I can do from Chelsea and England. Now is about getting fit, pushing myself every day and in the friendlies, and taking my chance.
"In the next two or three weeks, I just want to get myself fit, get two or three games out the way and then we'll see where we are. I'm happy I'm here, I'm playing football. I'm at a great club and I want to be part of it. I think we can do something good this year."