Ok we all know the talent our new signing Joe Cole brings to the table but skipper Steven Gerrard thinks he is better than Barcelona phenomenon Lionel Messi.

Gerrard said: “[Lionel] Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better. He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can’t even do with a football. I really fancy Joe for the [player of the year] award this season.”

I can’t wait to see them take the pitch in the Premiership this weekend and pray Joey lives up to what we are expecting.

Reports are again linking striker Peter Crouch with a return to Liverpool.

Crouch, who netted 40 times in his stint at Anfield, has been made available by Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and would jump at the chance to return to the club.

Crouch would cost us between £8 and £10 million.

A move would surely end any speculation regarding Nice hit man Loic Remy.

Highly regarded Spanish youngster Dani Pacheco has talked of his desire to be a success at Liverpool despite having numerous clubs chasing his signature.

Pacheco, 19, said: “I really want to do well for Liverpool and give my best,”

“I have worked hard for this chance and hopefully I can impress the manager. I really enjoyed it against Rabotnicki and it made me happy to make my first start for the first team and play 90 minutes, but I have got to keep working hard.”

He added: “I know there had been some talk but I want to stay here because this is a massive club and I want to make it work here,”

“I have reached the age when I want to be playing. I want to show the manager that I can stay here, do well for him and play for Liverpool. That is the only thing on my mind right now.”

Midfielder Lucas Leiva thinks Liverpool’s Europa League qualifier with Trabzonspor will be harder than expected.

Lucas told Liverpoolfc.tv: “It will be another tough game. Hopefully we can do well again, keep going and try to win the Europa League.

“We know they are an important club in Turkey and they have won a lot of trophies. It will be difficult, but we have to make sure we beat them and keep going in the competition.

“We have to make sure we get a good result at home because we know it is always a difficult atmosphere to play in over in Turkey.”

Trabzonspor beat Turkish champions Bursaspor 3-0 to claim the Super Cup on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson has confirmed Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen is a target for our club this summer.

“Poulsen is a legitimate transfer target if it can happen, he’s a player I know well. I kick-started his career some years ago now and I’ve followed him closely ever since.

“If we could get him from Juventus for a price I consider to be reasonable, he will be a very good addition to our squad.”

Poulsen would fill the defensive midfield role set to be vacated by want away Argentine Javier Mascherano.

Poulsen would be available for around £6million.

Gaffer Roy Hodgson has talked of his happiness to hear star striker Fernando Torres announce his commitment to us following a summer of speculation.

“I have to say that ever since I took the job, that in my discussions with Christian Purslow, he told me he was always confident that Fernando would stay,” said Hodgson

“He told me there’s nothing to worry about, that there is a lot of speculation but that he’ll play for Liverpool next season – so we don’t need to worry.

“But it’s nice that the speculation can finally end and even better that Fernando gave an interview yesterday in which he spoke about how committed he is and how keen he is to have a good season with the club.”

Fullback Philipp Degen seems set to secure a move back to Germany with Stuttgart his likely destination.

Degen, 27, has failed to secure a spot at Anfield following his move from Borussia Dortmund and seems set for the exit following the arrival of new boss Roy Hodgson.

Stuttgart sporting director Jochen Schneider confirmed that a deal for the player was close. He said: “We have reached an agreement with the player (Degen),”

“The player wants to join our club.”

It is believed a fee between £1 and £2million has been agreed for the player.

Serie A club Palermo have hinted that they are ready to make an improved bid for LFC midfielder Lucas Leiva.

The initial bid of around £3.5million was rejected but it is believed the Italians are willing to go as high as £6million to land the Brazilian.

Palermo sporting director Walter Sabatini said: “There is a dialogue with Liverpool,”

“I believe there is room to negotiate.”

New Red Joe Cole will make his Anfield debut tonight in the Europa League second leg match against FK Rabotnicki after boss Roy Hodgson confirmed that several first choice players would be available for the fixture.

Speaking to the official Liverpool website, he said: “We can play a stronger team this team and Cole, Gerrard, Carragher, Johnson and Jovanovic will all start the game,”

“A week ago they were definitely not fit and couldn’t play but now they are ready.

“We have a lot of players like Cole and Jovanovic who are anxious to show the fans what they are made of and it’s a great opportunity for them.

“We also have Pacheco back after a very successful tournament with Spain and he is desperate to show us what a good player he is.

“Agger is injured so won’t take part and the other World Cup players who are have only just returned to training won’t play.”

Jamie Carragher is urging Fernando Torres to announce that he will be staying at the club for the 2010-11 season.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.tv he said: “Well, [Gerrard is] our best player,”

“For me he’s probably the best player in the history of the club, alongside Kenny [Dalglish], so it’s obviously going to give everyone a massive lift [that Gerrard has decided to stay].

“Hopefully Fernando will do the same and we can bring one or two more in so that we head into the season with a real feel-good factor.”

On the signing of England midfielder Joe Cole Carra added: “He’s not taken too long to settle in and he knows quite a lot of the lads from England.

“He’s a good lad too and he’s staying right in the centre of Liverpool, so a lot of the fans have seen him around.

“He loves playing here and being at Liverpool. You like people to get involved with the city and he’s doing that from an early stage.”