LIVERPOOL: The capture of England midfielder Joe Cole shows Liverpool mean business, defender Jamie Carragher warned the club`s Premier League rivals on Tuesday.

Former Chelsea midfielder Cole agreed terms on a four-year contract on Monday and has flown to Liverpool`s Switzerland training camp for a medical.

Carragher believes the signing of his England team-mate Cole proves fears that Liverpool, with no Champions League action to look forward to, would struggle to attract top-quality signings, are unfounded.

"It`s great news and it is a message that Liverpool mean business," said the 32-year-old Carragher.

He added: "We have signed a top international player who has been really important for Chelsea.

"A lot of clubs wanted to sign him but it is a real coup that he has chosen to come here and you have got to give the manager and the board a pat on the back for convincing him to come here.

"Every supporter that I have spoken to is absolutely delighted and all the players are the same - it`s given everyone a boost, just at the right time.

"It has been a long summer and we have been in a transitional period but now the World Cup is out of the way, we can start to look forward again.

"The fact we have got him has given everyone a boost around the city. It`s good news again and, hopefully, there will be more to come. It`s the kind of signing that we needed to make."

Carragher returns to Melwood Tuesday with fellow England internationals Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson to begin pre-season training after a three-week rest.

Liverpool disappointed last season, finishing seventh.

BDST: 1653hrs, July 20, 2010