Rodgers talks Cole return, Sigurdsson swoop

  Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has boosted Joe Cole's hopes of resurrecting his Anfield career by insisting every player will start with a clean slate when they return to training next month. The former England international spent last season on loan at Lille in Ligue 1 after a disappointing maiden campaign in 2010/11. However, the 30-year-old is well-known to Rodgers from their time together at Chelsea and the new manager, who has already spoken to Cole, stressed everyone will get a fresh start. "I met up with Joe Cole when I was in Spain," said Rodgers, who has returned from holiday to begin work at Melwood in earnest. "I certainly know he's looking to come back. I've got to assess all the players. For me it's fresh for everyone - I'll be new into the club. "When a new manager comes into any club, it always sparks off that renewed motivation for players. The cycle with Kenny [Dalglish] was a terrific cycle but I'm a different tactician and a different type of person and that will give all the players an opportunity to perform. "With the likes of Joe - he's a very talented player. He's obviously gone out to Lille and done very well. Of course I know lots of the players and their qualities but Joe is obviously a player who'll want to come back and show his worth to the group. "There are a lot of players I'm aware of and they wouldn't be at Liverpool if they didn't have the qualities. Over the course of pre-season I just need to decide the types of players who are going to fit into the function and the philosophy and the structure of the team." Sights on Sigurdsson Rodgers has scouts out at UEFA EURO 2012 as he looks to bring in some new faces. He has been heavily linked with Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, whom he had on loan at Swansea City in the second half of last season. However, the Swans had already agreed a £6.8million deal for the Iceland international before they lost their manager and although the move has stalled, Rodgers insists his former club should still have first option. "First and foremost, Gylfi is a Hoffenheim player," he told the club's website. "I wanted to sign him for Swansea but, like I've said to him and his representatives, that has to be his first port of call. "If he comes into the market for whatever reason - and I'm sure there'll be a number of clubs interested in Gylfi - then of course I would like to be in a position to put our case here at Liverpool to sign him. "But I've always said I think he's a player Swansea have had an agreement with and they have to have every chance to try to sign him. That's only right. If anything changes from that, we'll look at it from there." Rodgers admits he has his eye on a few targets whom he thinks can really make a difference. "I think there are a few players who can come in and improve the group straight away," said the Northern Irishman. "I know the types of player I need to bring here to make us function well and that's something myself, the club and the board will look at. "I know what we've got, more or less, in the squad, but I also know there are a couple of signings that could really improve what we do. That's something we'll work together on over the course of the summer and hopefully we can get one or two in." FIFA .