Kolo Toure is having a great season. At 35, his pace has left him, but his ability to position himself cleverly and give his all to the side means he’ll surely start the Europa League final in ten days’ time.
With Mamadou Sakho suspended and Martin Skrtel out of favour, the veteran Ivorian will play alongside Dejan Lovren in Basel, if all goes to plan.
Following Liverpool 3-0 Villarreal, Toure told how he cried on his way to the game, and suggested Anfield’s atmosphere was the best he’d seen in his 15 years as a professional.
“When we were coming in on the bus we saw the fans on the streets,” he began, reported in the Star.
“I was crying because I saw a disabled guy and he couldn’t even walk but the passion he had to support the team was giving me some spirit. It was amazing – a great, great feeling.
“We had to do it for them, this was definitely for the fans, they made the difference.
“The Villarreal players will never forget that night either. I have had 15 years of a career but what I saw was amazing.
“I have played in big games during my career but this one – right from coming in on the team bus to the very end of the game – was amazing to be a part of.”
The defender’s contract runs out in the summer, and as of yet, he’s not been offered an extension.
Jurgen Klopp hinted in April (via BBC Sport) that Toure would stay at Liverpool, but whether that would be in a playing or coaching capacity, we cannot yet tell.
He’s proving this season that he still has something to offer on the field, but if the club decides to go with younger, faster centre-backs, we hope Toure stays in a coaching capacity.