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If only this were 2004

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...then I'd be jumping for joy over the free transfer of Joe Cole to Liverpool.  But it isn't.  We've referred to Joe Cole as "Young Joe Cole" for so long it's hard to believe he's 28 now.  And while he might have less tread on those tires than a lot of players that age because of injury, that's due to...well, fucking injuries.  Liverpool weren't exactly aching for another player with flair who's made of glass, but now they've got one.  

Secondly, Cole has expressed desire to play in a position that Steven Gerrard and Alberto Aquilani (who I still like) need to play in, i.e. behind the striker.  Gerrard's better games this year actually came from deeper. alongside Lucas (which must be like chaperoning your friend's mentally-challenged younger brother, but still).  But Cole didn't sign at Anfield to be stunted out to the right, where Kuyt is anyway (unless he's on his way or back to striker while all the king's men try and put Fernando Torres back together again), or to the left where new signing Jovanovic is probably patrolling.  

So does that mean Roy Hodgson is considering a change of formation?  A 4-3-3 with Lucas, Aquilani, and Gerrard behind a troika of Jovanovic, Kuyt/Torres/Remy?, and Cole?  Would seem to make more sense.  However, any of these formations would require a left-back, which after the sale of Emiliano Insua Liverpool have exactly none of.  That's a small problem.  

Still, considering the situation the Reds find themselves in, they were always going to have to get creative.  They've managed to sign to pretty creative players on free transfers, and that should be commended.  Whatever money they gain from Insua's, Mascherano's assured departure, and maybe even Kuyt's could go to other problem areas.  And at least they'll be interesting.