Dietmar Hamann urges Liverpool to sign Ashley Cole

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has encouraged the club to recruit Ashley Cole.

The 33-year-old is expected to depart Chelsea in June once his contract at Stamford Bridge expires.

He has recently been linked with the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid, but Hamann believes that the Reds, as well as Tottenham Hotspur, should be in the running to sign "a top, top player".

"Cole hasn't played a lot of football this season but I watched him against Liverpool and against Atletico Madrid and he was absolutely outstanding," the German told talkSPORT.

"The guy has still got it. If I was Liverpool or Tottenham I would do my utmost to get him for a year or two because he has that left in him and he's still a top, top player."

Following his omission from England's World Cup squad, Cole called time on his international career on Sunday.