Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is convinced Joe Cole has a big part to play for the remainder of the season.
Victory over Europa League opponents Sparta Prague was Cole's first start under Dalglish.
And Dalglish said: "Joe Cole coming back is a real bonus for us. It has been a stop-start season for him.
"It is a great credit to him the way he finished Thursday's game - he ran almost the full length of the pitch to almost score in the last minute.
"There is not much wrong with his fitness, he just needs to get back into match practice and the lad will be OK.
"I don't think he needed to show anybody he wanted to play.
"It has been frustrating for the wee man, sent off in his first game and then he picked up two or three injuries. He never really got going.
"It's the first opportunity I've had to have him in the squad and he's a great asset to have."
