Former Liverpool player 'comes out of retirement' for unlikely team who conceded 81 goals
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCA former Liverpool midfielder has 'come out of retirement' to play for a Sunday League team who lost 18 games last season, immediately helping secure an improvementJoe Cole and Joleon Lescott interview West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen.(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)Former Liverpool midfielder and ex-England international Joe Cole came out of retirement for a one‑off grassroots appearance recently, where he inspired a struggling Sunday League team to victory.The ex-Chelsea ace was back on the grass eight years after hanging up his boots, representing Brentwood’s Warley FC. Captured for the latest episode of Specsavers’ Best Worst Team, Cole scored and helped to secure a 3-1 win for a team that suffered 18 defeats last season."It’s been a while since I last laced up my boots in a competitive game, but being back out there reminded me exactly why I fell in love with the game in the first place," Cole said.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah to announce next club as Liverpool farewell plunged into doubtREAD MORE: Jurgen Klopp gives honest assessment of Florian Wirtz's first season at Liverpool"The lads at Warley FC have got great spirit, and that’s what football is all about.
It’s awesome to see a fan-favorite footballer who once shared the pitch with some of the game’s biggest names returning to where it all begins — Sunday League."Joe Cole on air with TNT Sports at the London Stadium.(Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Now working as a pundit, mainly for TNT Sports, Cole recently outlined his belief that Xabi Alonso will end up at Liverpool one day.The Spaniard is on the market now after leaving Real Madrid earlier in the year."Liverpool will have to stick to type with what they usually do — back their managers and give them time — or make the call now," Cole explained."If they don’t, somebody will take Alonso. So that’s the only reason that Slot's future is in the balance.
I think it might be the only time you can get him, and I think he’s an absolute nailed-on Liverpool manager."Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Liverpool looks set to qualify for the Champions League and to stick with Arne Slot despite a difficult campaign.