Joe Cole passes Liverpool medical

LIVERPOOL, England (AP):

Joe Cole completed his move to Liverpool yesterday, after passing a medical examination, and manager Roy Hodgson wants to bring in more players as he tries to rebuild the former Premier League power.

Cole, who will wear the number 10 shirt at Liverpool, after arriving on a free transfer from Chelsea, is Hodgson's first signing since replacing Rafa Benitez as manager at the start of the month.

The 28-year-old England midfielder signed a four-year contract, and will fill the creative midfield role, vacated by Yossi Benayoun when he joined Chelsea two weeks ago.

Club captain Steven Gerrard has said he will stay at Liverpool following Cole's arrival, but Hodgson, who guided unfashionable Fulham to last season's Europa League final, is still looking for new talent.

"There's a lot more work to do, a lot more players needed," Hodgson said. "We as a football team have got to make certain that when we take to the field, the supporters will see there is something different, and that we are making the biggest effort we can make.

"Then, we can only hope they back us like they have always backed the club in the past."

Liverpool have not won the English league since 1990, giving fierce rival Manchester United the chance to draw level on a record 18 titles.

Worst finish

Liverpool finished runner-up to United in 2009, but slumped to seventh place last season for their worst finish since 1999.

"Last season was a very disappointing season for the club, in every respect, culminating in a popular manager leaving," Hodgson said. "You don't dispel that with a couple of signings, and I would never want to dupe the Liverpool public by telling them all is rosy now because Joe Cole has signed."