Former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has advised the Reds to have a quiet summer transfer window and backed under-pressure manager Arne Slot to continue at Anfield, insisting he has achieved more than Jurgen Klopp did in his first two seasons
20:36, 28 May 2026
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot reacts during a English Premier League football match
Joe Cole wants to see Arne Slot given more time(Image: PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole believes his old club should have a subdued summer transfer window following last year's extraordinary activity. The deadline-day signing of Alexander Isak last September for a British record £125 million ($168 million) took the Reds' total outlay to £450M ($605M) across eight players.
Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni also joined Anfield for substantial fees. Yet despite the considerable expenditure, the Reds endured a season to forget, with their Premier League title defense falling short and the campaign ending without silverware, heaping pressure on Arne Slot.
When asked his views on the forthcoming summer transfer window, Cole responded: "I just think they need a quiet summer.
"They bought Ekitike, I know he's going to be out for a while, Isak they need to get a tune out of him, Wirtz will have another year settled, they need to work out the balance of the midfield and they need to get the right back position sorted.
"But Arne Slot just needs time to settle, let him go. It's unprecedented what happened at that club this year with the injuries and tragedy to Diogo Jota and make no bones about it, Arne Slot has won one Premier League out of two.
"That's a lot more than what Jurgen Klopp did. So you know, he does deserve to hang on in there; he does deserve another chance. And, I think they will stick with him."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (right) speaks with sporting director Richard Hughes after winning the Premier League title
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (right) speaks with sporting director Richard Hughes after winning the Premier League title(Image: Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)
Cole made his own unexpected comeback to the pitch to feature for Warley FC, Specsavers' Best Worst Team, finding the net as he steered the team to a 3-1 triumph.
"I loved it," he said. "I think I think especially in the current world men and women getting out playing football Sunday league or anytime. I think it's so important.
"From that camaraderie to keeping fit and healthy. Good for your mental health, and physical health. I loved it. I love the way that they're improving the boys.
Arne Slot and Alexander Isak during Liverpool vs Manchester United.
Arne Slot and Alexander Isak during Liverpool vs Manchester United.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"We went through a few things tactically. And then I loved getting the boots on again and there's a great campaign and there are any people out there who were like, 'it's gonna get cold in December, January, commit to it, just commit to it, go and do it go and play, get where your mates, whether it be five or five, eleven aside.
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"And get doing it because we all need to get healthier. We all need to get off of our phones and all that nonsense on screens and get out."