Cole looking forward for Liverpool challenge

(GSM) – New Liverpool signing Joe Cole is looking forward for the new challenge after signing on the dotted line for the Anfield club. Cole, who has been a free agent since leaving Chelsea on July 1, added that the atmosphere at the “massive club” made his decision easier.

After spending his career with West Ham United and Chelsea, two clubs in London, the midfielder has decided to leave the capital and has now signed a four-year deal at Liverpool.

Cole told the club’s official website: “I set myself a deadline to make a decision and when I made it I sent a text to (Liverpool managing director) Christian Purslow and Steven Gerrardand then turned my phone off.

“I know I have made the right decision and I am looking forward to the challenge.

“This is a challenge for me. I have played in London all my life. I could have stayed at Chelsea because the fans loved me and I won things, but I wanted to challenge myself and when I knew Liverpool were interested it was a no-brainer because they are the biggest club in the country.

A major factor in the move, according to Cole, is the stature of the gigantic club that has won Premier League titles more than any other English club.

“This is a massive club. I tried to take everything out of the equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought in football terms.

“I thought about the semi-final of the Champions League in 2005 when I ran onto the field and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was thinking about playing in that atmosphere every week and that swung it for me.”

He added: “That’s the thing I am looking forward to. You talk to Liverpool players and talk about the European nights. I experienced it as an opponent and it was immense. To go out there and play in that atmosphere every week will be phenomenal.”

Cole said he was impressed with new boss Roy Hodgson and that the Englishman comes as “a breath of fresh air” after the club had Spanish and French managers.

He said: “I had a chat with the gaffer about football and was impressed with him.

“The club has had Spanish and French managers over the years and I think it’s a breath of fresh air to get an Englishman in.

“The club finished seventh last year, which wasn’t good enough, and he explained where the club wants to go.

“I jumped on board because with the players we have here and the players we are looking to bring in, it’s definitely going in the right direction.”

He added: “We have talked about positions in the team and types of formations he wants to play and I just want to be part of the team.

“I want to go out there and to run and fight for the lads and the fans.

“That’s what I’ll always do and Roy is the man who can make sure we are a nice unit as a team.”

Cole snubbed the advances of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in order to join Liverpool.