Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard played an integral role in persuading Joe Cole to sign for the Reds, according to manager Roy Hodgson.

Bolton will be without defender Ricardo Gardner until October while he recovers from a third cruciate knee ligament operation.

Liverpool’s return to training ahead of their Champions League and Community Shield showdowns next month has been overshadowed by another attack on boss Rafael Benitez by outcast striker Djibril Cisse.

Milan Baros insists he does not believe that his career at Liverpool is in jeopardy after he was omitted from the team that beat Welsh minnows TNS on Tuesday in a Champions League qualifier.