Famous Liverpool supersub David Fairclough says Joe Cole will be a first-choice starter at Anfield.
Cole quit Chelsea in frustration over the lack of starts he had under manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Fairclough told the Daily Star Sunday: "I can understand the frustration he has had in the past.
"Sometimes you can be too much of a nice guy - and Joe strikes me as being a nice guy. I don't want to make too much of a sweeping statement here but, in my case, maybe I was a bit like that.
"You end up being an easy victim - the fall guy. I could image it being easier to take off Joe at Chelsea than, say, Ballack. One or two managers have not found a way to fit him into their systems. The country was crying out for Fabio Capello to fit him into the England team at the World Cup - but for me he's quality.
"Liverpool's fans in the past have feared the threat from Joe's ability and he has been a thorn in our side at times. I'm surprised but delighted he's now with us. He must figure very much in Roy Hodgson's plans, otherwise he wouldn't have brought him to the club.
"I expect him to be very much a starter in the team. We may be getting a player worth £5million or £10m on a free."
