Liverpool's two biggest names may have remained at home but that did not temper the excitement of the residents in Trabzon when Liverpool’s squad touched down here yesterday.

Though there was no Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres, the locals who greeted the travelling Liverpool squad seized the chance to see some famous faces in the flesh and one man, in particular, found himself thrust into the centre of attention.

As he made his way from passport control to baggage collection, Joe Cole was mobbed; whichever way he turned, someone was there waiting to put an arm around him and have the moment captured on a mobile phone or digital camera.

Then again, it was a similar story at Anfield seven days ago; when Cole steadied himself to take a penalty in front of The Kop, hundreds of flashbulbs lit up in an attempt to capture what they anticipated would be his first Liverpool goal.

Unfortunately, the magic moment never materialised. Cole’s penalty lacked conviction and Trabzonspor keeper Onur Kivrak was able to make a comfortable save, denying Liverpool the opportunity to travel this week in comfort.

“It wasn’t the best,” he ruefully admitted. “I’m not a penalty taker. I hold my hands up and admit that it wasn’t good enough and I am anxious that we get the job done so it won’t matter. I haven’t taken a penalty for about 15 years and I might wait another 15 years before I take another.”

So despite making a game shaping contribution when supplying the ball to Ryan Babel for what proved to be the only goal – a pass, incidentally, from which he took some satisfaction – the failure from 12 yards has been gnawing away at him ever since.

Having been forced to sit and suffer on the sidelines on Monday night as Manchester City put the Reds to the sword, Cole will return to the starting line-up this evening in the compact, atmospheric Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium with a score to settle.

The absence of Gerrard and Torres inevitably means there is an even greater onus on Cole to flourish in a city on the banks of the Black Sea but, rather than worry, the England international is determined to raise his game and help Liverpool reach the group stages.

“European games are notoriously tough but we got the job done in the end,” Cole reflected. “It was a tough game but I think I’m getting there all the time. Obviously it’s a massive disappointment to miss three Premier League games but at least I’ve got Europe.

“As a footballer, you always have to improve,” said Cole. “This is a big season and I want to do well. You always want to get off to a good start at a new club; I just want to keep enjoying it. I’m settling into the team and if I keep making a goal a game, that will be all right.

“I’m relaxed, I’m happy. I’ve just been trying to take the positives out of everything I’ve done so far. I want to make goals and help the team. I’m still not 100 per cent fit. I love being in Liverpool, the city is great and has got a real energy.

“I’ve made two goals in two and a half games and if I keep that ratio up for the rest of the season, I think everyone will be happy. I set my standards high and I want to do better but I am confident it will all come together. I feel there is a lot more to come from this team too.”