Steven Gerrard

Gerrard’s future has been the subject of plenty of speculation this summer following Liverpool’s disappointing campaign last season and the subsequent departure of boss Rafa Benitez to Internazionale.

However, Hodgson has indicated Gerrard spoke to Cole to convince him to make the move to Anfield while the two were together at the World Cup with England, and it would now come as a major surprise if the 30-year-old opted to leave the club he has served so well for his whole career.

Hodgson’s first major signing since taking over the Reds was a major coup with Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham all keen on signing the free agent following his release from Chelsea and he revealed Gerrard, along with team-mate Jamie Carragher were influential in helping Cole decide where to play his football next season.

“Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard did a good job in selling the club to Joe at the recent World Cup,” said Hodgson.

“He was undecided about what he wanted to do and to be fair it takes a bit more selling to persuade a Londoner who has played all his life in London to move up to Liverpool. The simple solution would have been to stay in the London area.”

Carragher himself is delighted with the capture and says it proves Liverpool (7/4 to finish in the top four) under Hodgson mean business.

“We have signed a top international player who has been really important for Chelsea,” he said on the club’s website.

“A lot of clubs wanted to sign him but it is a real coup that he has chosen to come here and you have got to give the manager and the board a pat on the back for convincing him to come here.

“Every supporter that I have spoken to is absolutely delighted and all the players are the same – it’s given everyone a boost, just at the right time.

“It’s good news again and, hopefully, there will be more to come. It’s the kind of signing that we needed to make.”

Carragher added: “Joe is someone I have known for a long time from playing with England. He is a great lad to have around the squad, he mixes well and is a lively character – he’s also an outstanding footballer.

“In the modern game, you need forwards that can function in two or three different positions and Joe will do that, no problem at all. He can play on the right, through the middle or on the left.”

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