Cole: We'll work to put it right
Joe Cole admits Liverpool lacked a certain ruthlessness in front of goal against Stoke on Sunday - but insists the squad will work hard to rectify the problem over the coming weeks.
For Cole, Sunday produced plenty of positives; such as his first senior minutes since sustaining a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season.
The midfielder also feels the squad will be lifted by a much-needed clean sheet and by the fact that they fought staunchly for a point against a physical Stoke side.
However, he knows that had the Reds been more effective in the final third at the weekend, they could have made it two wins on the bounce in the Barclays Premier League.
"There was a bit of frustration in the dressing room after the Stoke game," Cole told Liverpoolfc.com.
"We felt we should have won the game with the chances we had.
"The only criticism of us that I would have was that we didn't stick the ball in the back of the net. We just lacked that final bit [in front of goal]. We have two weeks now to work on it and we're looking forward.
"There's a lot to work on but we have got to take the positives out of today; we didn't get beat and we kept a clean sheet, which was important as we haven't kept one for a long time. Now we just need to kick on.
"I know a lot of the lads are away [on international duty] but we have got two weeks to keep going, keep working on things, getting in and around the box and picking the right pass.
"Hopefully we can get three points at home to Reading and then we can go to Goodison and get a result."
A hard-fought 90 minutes saw Liverpool scrap tooth and nail against Stoke and Cole was delighted to see that youngsters like Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre Wisdom were not fazed by a physical contest.
Cole was equally proud of the continued support from the terraces and was keen to thank the Reds faithful for their unwavering support for the players on the field.
"Today was important for the young boys and I thought they were really good again," he said. "I think you've got to match Stoke [physically].They're strong lads and they like to compete.
"The defence was great today, the build-up play was fantastic and the lads competed really well. I think the team has grown.
"But the fans have been great, the fans are patient. They are very intelligent, they have seen some great football here over the years and they know what is needed. They know what the club is renowned for and that is sticking together through everything."
Cole took to the field as a 67th minute substitute in place of Suso and the midfielder admits that while he hoped to have some say in deciding the outcome of the game, he was nonetheless delighted to be back on the field at Anfield.
"It was brilliant to get back," he said. "You're always nervous with hamstring injuries in terms of the first time you come back in. But I felt good and I have two weeks now to work hard and get back up to a high level of fitness."