Joe Cole Admits He Is Struggling To Find His Form

Joe Cole believes it is up to Liverpool's players to find a way to grind out a victory after admitting his lack of form and the club's struggles are unfamiliar territory for him.

The former Chelsea midfielder was expected to make a significant impact after his summer arrival but has found himself involved in the club's worst start to a season since 1953-54. Under that pressure, very few of the players have reached anywhere close to their best but Cole insists the squad are united behind the manager Roy Hodgson, who has endured a difficult time since replacing Rafael Benítez in July.

"The right thing to do is try to grind out the first win, then take it from there," Cole said after the 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat extended the run of matches in all competitions without a win to six.

"We are right behind the manager. We all believe in the team and in the club. We have just got to stick together. We are doing a lot of things right but we have got to cut out what we're doing wrong.

"It's disappointing to lose such a big game but in these situations, the worst thing you can do is start pointing fingers at each other. We have got to look at ourselves.

"It's encouraging now that the club has got a direction to go in [after the £300m takeover by New England Sports Ventures]. We are happy with that. The thing is to keep going and keep our heads. We have got to do better – everyone at the club."

Defeat at Goodison Park was Liverpool's fourth in eight Premier League matches, leaving them in 19th place with six points and only escaping the ignominy of being bottom by West Ham's inferior goal difference.

In his post-match comments, Hodgson said the second half against Everton was the best they had played in his short reign. But Cole admits the team – and him personally – are a long way short of what is expected.

"We are not playing well. I'm not playing well. I know that. I expect better from myself," he told the Liverpool Echo. "I'll just try to do what I can do to get back to it. I need to find my form somehow. I'm sure I will and it will come soon.

"Every minute of every day I'm thinking about how I can get there again. I'm desperate to do well for Liverpool. I've never had a period like this before and it is all new territory for me but it is a challenge and life is never easy."