Liverpool
I don’t like what supporters think about me – I want to set the record straight about Liverpool transfer
Joe Cole sets the record straight on his injury-plagued move to Liverpool in an exclusive interview with the ECHO, speaking on behalf of TNT Sports.
Joe Cole wants to set the record straight about his Liverpool career once and for all.
The former England international joined the Reds on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2010 but was plagued by injury during his two-and-half years with the club. Limited to 42 appearances, of which 23 were starts, he was farmed out on loan to Lille after just one season at Anfield, before leaving for West Ham United on a free transfer in January 2013 following a brief reprieve under new manager Brendan Rodgers.
Admittedly, Cole is not the most popular former Liverpool player. While his Bosman arrival on a big-money deal was celebrated at the time, his struggles ultimately saw him tarred by association with the doomed manager who signed him, Roy Hodgson, and hated former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Consequently, not many tears were shed when he did leave the club.
But the 42-year-old knows this. He admits he regrets how his Liverpool career turned out, as he struggled following his recovery from a serious ACL injury at Chelsea.
And after comments about his move to the Reds earlier this month earned the former midfielder fresh backlash from supporters, he now wants to set the record straight on his move to the club.
“I did the John Obi-Mikel podcast and I think it just got taken a little out of context, what I was saying,” Cole exclusively told the ECHO, speaking on behalf of TNT Sports who will show the midweek fixtures in the Premier League this week, including Liverpool’s home clash with Chelsea on Wednesday 31 January. “I want to set a few things straight.
“We were generally talking about my career as a whole and we got onto Liverpool. What I was trying to say was, with hindsight, my body was done. I could never be the player that I was in the years before.
“I kept breaking down after that and history will say that. I was saying probably if I’d stayed at Chelsea or gone somewhere in another country, it would have probably been a little bit easier to sort of manage my body.
“But going up to Liverpool, with the expectations and everything, and then to keep breaking down. It’s been picked up like I knew I was a crock and I signed because of that, but it wasn’t.
“In my mind at the time, I was like, ‘Right, I wanna sign here because…’, obviously Chelsea made the decision that they wanted to go in a different direction, and I chose Liverpool over lots of other clubs. I loved the big nights that we played there when I went there with Chelsea. I just thought it would be cool to play in that place.
“But my body was done. I certainly wasn’t going with the intention of not doing it. Anyone who knows me knows that I was a consummate professional during that time, trying to make it work. It just wasn’t right.”
Cole is a confessed Chelsea fan and admits he’ll be cheering on his former club against Liverpool, both on Wednesday night and in next month’s League Cup final. But he holds no grudges or ill-feeling against the Reds.
Still regretting how his time at the club unfolded, he lifted the lid on how his brief stint at Anfield was ravaged by injury despite his best efforts.
“I’m a Chelsea fan and I’ll be supporting Chelsea on Wednesday night,” he admitted. “But I don’t hold any grudges with Liverpool. I’ve always liked the people and the club, it was just the wrong time for both of us.
“I know that people pick it up and it gets sensationalised, but I regret it because it didn’t work. I’m sure both parties regret it.
“But it wasn’t that I stiffed anyone at the time. My knee was just f****d, I couldn’t stay fit. With hindsight, it was a bad decision all around. Fantastic club, with good people but it just didn’t work, did it?
“I don’t like that, ‘Oh, he’s come up here and taken the money.’ I tried my nuts off, and I did. I tried everything to stay fit and get fit. I just kept breaking down.
“I’d get fit, get back in the team, maybe nick a goal here or there, start playing well but then bang, I’d break down and I’d be out for four to five weeks. Then someone else would come in and you have to fight them for a place.
“I just wasn’t getting the rhythm. It was a frustrating time, I’m not going to lie. But I did everything I could with the knowledge I had to try and stay fit.
“I’d stay at Melwood to get treatment, first one in, last one out. Some people have mileage on the clock and unfortunately, that was it. When your body is just… you see it with lots of players.
“I was lucky that I was 29 when I came so I had already had 12-13 years playing professionally. And I still played after that until I was 36, but I was never the same player that I was. That’s just how it was.”
Liverpool
‘Unfair’ – Salty PSG boss Luis Enrique makes big promise to Liverpool after Alisson masterclass

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique was pained by his side’s “many times unfair” Champions League loss to Liverpool and has made a big vow to Liverpool ahead of the second leg, while Arne Slot made a big admission and revealed what frustrated him most about the Reds’ display at the Parc des Princes.
The French giants pummelled the visitors’ goal by amassing 27 shots – 10 of which were on target – only to find Reds keeper Alisson in breathtaking form as the Brazilian repelled everything that PSG threw at him. And when Harvey Elliott pounced with three minutes left to complete the ultimate smash and grab, it was very much advantage Liverpool ahead of the last-16 second leg at Anfield on Tuesday.
However, while fans and pundits alike marvelled at the ‘clinic’ that Alisson put on, Enrique was left licking his wounds and the salty PSG boss insisted he could be proud of his players, claiming “of course” when asked if they will win the return leg at Anfield.
“My feelings right now…it’s difficult to think about the match in a positive way because I think we deserved to win, clearly. We created a lot of chances,” the Spaniard told TNT Sports after the game.
“I think it’s one of the best matches that we did in the Champions League this season.
“When you think that the best player of Liverpool was their goalkeeper, Alisson, football is many times unfair and we have to accept that. But, we are ready to [go to] Liverpool!
“We don’t have anything to lose. I think we’ve overcome Liverpool. Liverpool is the best team in Europe and today they almost create one or two chances maximum and we created a lot. I feel proud of my players, my team, of the supporters.”
Reserving some praise for Liverpool, the PSG boss added: “Top players, top quality, top quality team and I think they [Liverpool] didn’t feel that this season with Arne Slot. For us, it’s important but we have our last chance and we’re going to think about that in a positive way.”
Asked if they could win at Anfield, Enrique added: “Of course! We are going to do it!”
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk goes alpha mode and shuts down PSG official complaining about Ibrahima Konate tackle as tunnel footage emerges

Paris Saint Germain were not happy with a controversial call in their UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool.
Footage has emerged showing Virgil van Dijk shutting down a Paris Saint Germain official inside the Parc des Princes tunnel.
Van Dijk captained Liverpool on Wednesday night as they took on PSG in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie.
Despite being dominated all game, Liverpool somehow came away 1-0 winners thanks to Alisson Becker’s heroic performance and Harvey Elliott’s 87th-minute goal.
During the first half, Reds defender Ibrahima Konate survived a nervy VAR check after he challenged Bradley Barcola when the PSG man was through on goal.
Luckily for Liverpool, VAR found there to be no clear and obvious error from the referee, and the match swiftly resumed.
Footage from inside the Parc des Princes tunnel has since emerged, which captured PSG Football Advisor Luis Campos furiously reacting to the referee’s decision.
He was heard shouting: “Red card or penalty!”
Van Dijk then said: “Comeon bro, it’s not Ligue 1 bro hey, it’s not Ligue 1.”
Campos seemed to ignore Van Dijk as he continued shouting: “It’s a red card or penalty.”
https://x.com/Amad16FC/status/1897580841473085560
Former FIFA referee Christina Unkel claimed that Konate should have seen red for his challenge on Barcola.
She said on CBS Sports: “I’m actually not going to agree with the referee or VAR in this play itself. I do think it should have been recommended down to a red card due to denial of a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
“The contact happens here, essentially, outside the penalty area, so we’re talking about a DOGSO red card. Did they attacker have the opportunity to control the ball? The answer here is yes.”
Unkel added: “It meets all of the DOGSO considerations so I would have wanted to see this as a penalty and then the VAR if not called on-field.”
Konate himself said to Canal+: “There was a VAR check. If there was a push, like you said, I would have been shown a red card. I’m telling you that there wasn’t a foul.
“It’s true that I am very strong but I don’t apply power, I just put my arm. If I had put a lot more power into it then we could talk about it, but it was soft from me.”
Liverpool
Rio Ferdinand laughings after hearing what Arne Slot did during Liverpool’s 1-0 win vs PSG

Rio Ferdinand laughings after hearing what Arne Slot did during Liverpool’s 1-0 win vs PSG
While Arne Slot is an excellent tactician, one trait he shares with all other great managers is that he is also a gambler and that was on display during Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain.
Slot took the bold decision of substituting Mohamed Salah off in place of Harvey Elliott — a call that initially raised eyebrows before the Englishman went on to score the winner in the 87th minute.
Salah’s performance against PSG was slated but what makes the in-form winger cut from a different cloth is he has a habit of coming up clutch with goals and assists in games where things are not going his way.
However, Arne Slot rolled the dice and Harvey Elliott rewarded his manager for his bravery by putting the ball into the back of the net past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
If Liverpool go on to win the Champions League this season, Slot’s decision to take Salah off and bring Elliott on against the Parisians will be eternally heralded.
Arne Slot lauded Alisson’s heroics against PSG but ultimately, it was the boyhood Reds fan who saved the day for his side.
Rio Ferdinand laughs as Arne Slot’s Harvey Elliott decision does the trick for Liverpool vs PSG
Salah would have been frustrated after Slot hooked him off and that too for a youngster in Elliott.
But after the Englishman netted the all-important winner, the 32-year-old also would have had no choice but to applaud the Liverpool boss’ proactive substitition.
Rio Ferdinand felt Salah had an underwhelming game against PSG as well.
The pundit said on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “Disappointing tonight. I thought Mendes played the best I’ve seen a full-back play [against] him. But you are still sitting there and still thinking, ‘He’s not playing well, he’s quiet.’ But Mo Salah will do what Mo Salah does and he’ll have a quiet game and score. So you’re always on your edge of the seat waiting for it.”
But after being told that Elliott scored within just 47 seconds after replacing Salah, Rio Ferdinand laughed for a few seconds and gave Arne Slot the credit he deserves for taking the bold decision of taking the Egyptian off.
“It was wild, it’s mad but he’s done this all season. Not quite so like in your face like that where he comes on, first touch, goal but you’re taking off your top goalscorer who’s got you out of any hole you’ve been in this season. You bring on a kid who’s been injured a lot of the time, big talent, unquestionable. He goes and scores.”
Two other genius decisions Arne Slot made during PSG vs Liverpool
Tactically, Luis Enrique seemingly stunned Arne Slot as his PSG side were as fluid as one can be — with Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola constantly interchanging between themselves during the game.
At times, even defensive midfielder Joao Neves made runs in behind the Reds defence as the hosts were causing pure chaos that the visitors could not deal with whatsoever for a majority of the game.
But Arne Slot made three incredible substitutions against PSG that effectively won Liverpool the contest.
- Taking Salah off for Elliott
- Taking Diogo Jota off for Darwin Nunez
- Taking Ryan Gravenberch off for Wataru Endo
Nunez came on for Jota and instantly caused problems with his typically fearless approach to games, eventually assisting Elliott’s winner.
Furthermore, Gravenberch came off for Endo, which was another astute change as the Japanese international won several tackles and anchored Liverpool’s back four in a way that the former Bayern Munich midfielder struggled to throughout the game.
Rio Ferdinand and the millions of other observers watching Liverpool eventually beat PSG all perhaps ultimately had to give Arne Slot the credit he deserves as he continues to cement his status as a top manager.
Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister fires 10-word warning for PSG with Liverpool set for Anfield advantage

Liverpool beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in their Champions League first leg meeting – but there’s still 90 minutes to go in that tie.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has led his teammates already urging resilience for next week’s second leg meeting with Paris Saint-Germain. Thanks to a smash-and-grab performance inspired by Alisson Becker and Harvey Elliott, the Reds take a one-goal advantage home in their Champions League last-16 tie.
Arne Slot’s side had been warned by PSG manager Luis Enrique that an onslaught was on its way and that proved correct at the Parc des Princes. The French side dominated play with 71 per cent possession of the ball, 27 overall attempts on goal and 10 on target, but ultimately it was Liverpool’s lone strike towards Gianluigi Donnarumma’s net that made the difference.
Alisson played a huge part making nine saves in the match before Harvey Elliott emerged from the subs bench and with his first touch after 47 seconds of his arrival, curled into the opposite far corner. Cue the celebrations.
“We take the lead, but the battle continues at home,” were the wise words from Mac Allister posted to Instagram on his journey home on Wednesday night. Even without the captain’s armband, the Argentine World Cup winner is becoming a key voice within this Liverpool team.
That was echoed by the experienced head of Andy Robertson, who in his own post to the platform simply stated: “Half-time.” The 2019 Champions League winner has been through many a knock-out tie – the most memorable being those in which Liverpool have been forced to come from behind, but at Anfield next Tuesday night (8pm) he will be part of the collective effort to see things through.
And goal-scorer Elliott, speaking to the camera for Liverpool’s official Instagram account, had a parting message for supporters last night. “I just wanted to say thank you so much for the away support and the support back home – as you know it drives us on and keeps us going.
“The game is never over until the final whistle, we dug in right until the very end today so let’s take this win, take it back and get ready for the weekend. Once again, thank you very much – You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
The Reds take on Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon before PSG visit three days later. To round off an intense March, they follow that European leg with the Carabao Cup final vs Newcastle United.
The prize for beating PSG over two legs will be a quarter-final vs Aston Villa or Club Brugge. The English outfit also have the advantage at the halfway point in that tie.
Liverpool
Petition launched to move Liverpool’s expected Premier League trophy parade to London

Petition launched to move Liverpool’s expected Premier League trophy parade to London
A controversial petition has emerged online suggesting Liverpool move any victory parade at the end of the season to London.
Liverpool took one step closer to claiming the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge last week following their 2-0 win over Newcastle United, extending their lead on top of the table to 13 points.
Should they be successful in claiming their 20th English top flight title, the Reds will make sure to celebrate the achievement with their fans with a trophy parade through the streets of Liverpool.
But ahead of the potential celebration, a shock petition has appeared online asking the club to consider moving the parade to London.
Following their victory in both the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup final in the 2021/22 season, Liverpool held a trophy parade through the city that was attended by an estimated 500,000 supporters.
But one fan based outside of Liverpool has complained that holding the trophy parade in the city every time the club when a trophy is won neglects the fanbase across the UK.
Therefore, they created a petition to suggest that, should Liverpool win the Premier League as expected, they should change things up and move the parade to London instead.
The petition, set up on Change.org by ‘King Koppite,’ states: “I, like many other loyal Liverpool FC fans, live in London, far from our team’s home city in the North.
“The South of England and beyond is home to a majority of Liverpool FC’s fervent fan base, creating a costly and time-consuming journey for us every time we aim to join in the club’s victory parades.
“What we propose is not a dismissal of Liverpool’s local heritage, but a recognition of the club’s national – even global – reach. With the prevalence of Liverpool FC supporters in the South, moving the title parade to London would simply be a more pragmatic and inclusive approach.”
The petition continued: “Statistics show that London holds the largest concentration of football fans across the whole of England (BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Fans Census, 2019).
“By moving the parade to our nation’s capital, more fans would be offered the opportunity to participate in the celebration, extending the sense of community and shared victory.
“Therefore, we propose a reassessment of the location of Liverpool Football Club’s title parades to better accommodate a larger portion of the fanbase, and create more inclusive and accessible celebrations. Sign this petition to help bring the Liverpool FC title parade closer to fans in the South.”
Of course, it is entirely possible that the petition has been set up by a rival fan hoping to mock Liverpool despite their success this season.
Liverpool
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Liverpool reaction speaks volumes as ‘difficult’ Anfield admission made

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was speaking following PSG’s Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia believes his Paris Saint-Germain side ‘deserved more’ from their Champions League tie against Liverpool as he admitted they now face a ‘difficult’ challenge. The Ligue 1 champions had dominated for 87 minutes and the only reason they weren’t ahead was because of Alisson Becker, who produced a man of the match display at the Parc des Princes.
But, with three minutes of normal time remaining, Harvey Elliott struck to seal a 1-0 win for his side. The midfielder was only brought on in the 86th minute to replace Mohamed Salah and seconds later scored with his first touch.
And Kvaratskhelia, who saw a 20th-minute strike ruled out by VAR for offside, admitted: “It was so sad. I was so happy, but it’s okay – it’s football. I have to just keep working hard and I think the right result also for me, for the team, will come.”
The Georgian, who was also linked with a move to Anfield last month, then continued to CBS Sports: “Really I think we had many opportunities to score. I think we deserved more and it was not hard because we showed them that today, for me, we was the better team.
“We showed we deserved to win, maybe draw, but it is football and we just have to prepare ourselves for the next game and just be ready to give everything.”
Kvaratskhelia was pressed further on that last point meaning PSG must get a result at a stadium where the Reds have lost only once this season, plus have beaten the champions of England, Germany and Spain.
“It is the football, we just have to concentrate about football and show them the same. Just focus and score the goals, which will be important.”
Liverpool
Liverpool fans slam ‘arrogant’ PSG star after hearing what he’s just said about Anfield

Liverpool fans slammed an ‘arrogant’ PSG player after hearing his comments following the Reds’ 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening.
Liverpool came away from the French capital with a shock 1-0 victory thanks to Harvey Elliott’s late strike, which proved to be Arne Slot’s side’s only shot on target in the game.
To put this into context, PSG had 27 shots, with ten of these finding the target.
The Premier League leaders will be hoping to defend and even add to their lead during next week’s second leg, which will take place at Anfield on Tuesday, 11 March.
Of course, on Champions League nights, Anfield can become a fortress with a hostile atmosphere which seemingly acts as a twelfth man for the team – Lionel Messi and Barcelona experienced this first hand when the Reds overturned Barca’s 3-0 first leg lead with a 4-0 victory in the semi-final second leg back in 2019.
However, PSG midfielder Vitinha, 25, remains optimistic about his side’s chances.
“[It was] tough,” Vitinha said when speaking to Canal+.
”Everyone saw it. Football is like that, it’s hard to play a game like that, against a team like that.
“Their only shot, I don’t know… It’s tough, but now we’re going to show what kind of team we are. It’s been a long time since we lost, it’s up to us to show our personality and our strength.
“We’re going to go there, we’re going to play a great game, we’re going to score, and we’re going to go through, I’m sure of it.”
And PSG fans will no doubt enjoy one of their players being so confident, but Liverpool supporters are not best pleased.
One said: “The arrogance is getting too much now because you had a couple of possessions and shot on target.
“I promise you the best you will get at Anfield is a draw.”
Another added: “Come and win at Anfield, let’s see.”
While a third commented: “Win at Anfield? Haaa, keep on dreaming.”
As a fourth slammed: “Liverpool will be a different beast at Anfield. The arrogance as been heard a million times by players like Vitinha.”
Liverpool
Isaac’s Dream Night at Anfield Abode – The Ultimate LFC Sleepover!

Isaac’s Dream Night at Anfield Abode – The Ultimate LFC Sleepover!
What a night to remember for Isaac, our seven-year-old Liverpool superfan! From the moment he stepped into Anfield Abode, his excitement was off the charts. A full LFC-themed house—what more could a young Red ask for?
Every corner of the house was filled with Liverpool FC magic—from the legendary red decor to memorabilia that made it feel like a piece of Anfield itself. Isaac couldn’t believe his eyes! Sleeping in a room covered in LFC colors and history was like living his dream.
Watch the video below. Subscribe to the channel please.
For a boy who lives and breathes Liverpool FC, this was more than just a sleepover—it was an experience he will never forget. Watching him soak in the atmosphere, talk about his favorite players, and feel truly at home was priceless. The place was in immaculate condition, and the memories made here will stay with him forever.
If you’re ever visiting Anfield, this is a must-do—especially for young Reds like Isaac! A huge thank you to Anfield Abode for making his year! YNWA!
-
Liverpool2 weeks ago
We received a phone call about Isaac that changed our life forever
-
Liverpool2 weeks ago
Isaac the 7-Year-Old Liverpool Fan, Made a Profound Statement with a Strange Reaction After Liverpool’s 2-0 Win Against Manchester City Tonight
-
Liverpool2 weeks ago
What Jurgen Klopp messaged Mohamed Salah speaks volumes as Liverpool return hint given
-
Liverpool1 week ago
Isaac Kearney’s family flooded with support after ‘secret’ update
-
Liverpool2 weeks ago
Liverpool legend Luis Suarez sends message to former Uruguay team-mate Darwin Nunez after Arne Slot’s criticism of str
-
Liverpool3 weeks ago
Why Arne Slot is allowed on the touchline for Liverpool vs Wolves despite his red card at Everton
-
Liverpool2 weeks ago
Isaac Kearney captures global hearts and offers hope after viral Christmas Day video
-
Liverpool3 weeks ago
Liverpool news: Arne Slot names reason for red card controversy as fresh injury blow confirmed