It might not have always been pretty, but it’s certainly been memorable. We love you Kolo!
Kolo Toure is 34-years-old today and in a tribute to the veteran defender, we thought we’d look back at his best moments in a Liverpool shirt.
Toure’s one of the nicest guys in the dressing room, and the rest of the squad values him highly as a player, a person and a role model.
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It’s not always been rosy during his two years here – but it’s certainly been memorable – and he’s a real cult hero in our eyes.
Here’s some of the better, the worst, and the funniest moments from his spell.
His own goal against Fulham…
Granted, no-one wants to be reminded of their foibles on their birthday but this is a stand out moment in Toure’s Liverpool career.
Just how he contrived to score this own goal is a minor miracle in itself, like a perfect storm or car-crash unfolding in front of you. (At least now, knowing we actually won that match) you can’t take your eyes away or prevent a wry smile or chuckle.
So bad, it’s good. Luckily Steven Gerrard bagged that great penalty in the final minutes to secure the three points last term – letting Kolo off the hook!
Real Madrid performance…
At a period of the season where the Liverpool defence was really struggling, and with a looming Premier League game with Chelsea forcing Rodgers to change his squad in a Champions League game we were likely to lose, Kolo was selected against the European Champions, with many expecting him to be dominated my messes Ronaldo, Bale and Isco.
But my word, WHAT A PERFORMANCE! Despite his age and speed he taught several of Madrid’s Galacticos a valuable lesson and whilst not perfect; he hurled himself around at the back like a flying salmon making blocks, clearances and the odd key pass.
Kolo’s reaction to West Brom mistake…
Honestly, we’re not trying to be hard here. It’s just Kolo’s got a lot of funny baggage in his short time at the club and the face he pulled after an incredibly misjudged pass across the defence let West Brom in to score was nothing short of priceless.
At least we know from this that everything he does in a Liverpool shirt matters to him – enormously.
Taking out Phil Dowd…
But perhaps the funniest moment of Kolo’s time in our famous Red shirt was his incredible take down of referee Phil Dowd.
Not content with simply scoring the own goal shown earlier against Fulham, Kolo proceeded to charge the ref, sending Dowd crashing to the ground – before jogging off like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Icon. Let’s hope he signs a new deal – as he still has an awful lot to offer as a backup defender, and as an experienced head on the training ground and in the dressing room.