Joe Cole's arrival at Liverpool is a marker in the battle to keep Liverpool's stars, claims Reds record goalscorer Ian Rush. The former Chelsea star has agreed personal terms on a four-year contract and will undergo a medical over the next two days before the deal is officially concluded.
Rush believes the signing has only enhanced Hodgson's reputation - even before a ball has been kicked.
"Liverpool might not have been successful as we would have liked to have been recently but this shows we can still attract top name players, whether that's an England international or a foreign international," he said.
"We've got a great new manager in Roy Hodgson and he knows what he wants and he can talk these players into signing for our club.
"This is the signing supporters wanted and it's a big boost for them.
"You look at last season when we went into it not hoping but thinking we were going to win the league.
"This season people are thinking, 'Are we going to finish in the top four?'
"I think this sends a sign out to Liverpool supporters that the club do mean business."
