Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may look to shuffle a defender or two out the door this summer with highly rated Schalke 04 man Joel Matip set to arrive on a free at the end of the season, but with his contract set to expire and looking like the man most likely to make way, veteran centre-back Kolo Toure isn’t ready to give up on his desire to stay at Anfield.
“I am a fighter. What’s important is what’s happening for me right now. I’m in the team at the moment and I am showing every game that I’m still here,” said the Ivorian. “It doesn’t matter what other people say, I have this smile, I’m very happy and I always give 100 per cent for this club. This club is amazing. The fans love me,” continued the 34-year old. “If I keep performing that will force people to change their minds. Sometimes you can make people change their minds by performing well and that’s my challenge right now.”
Toure, who retired from International football after winning the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast last year, remains a highly respected player despite getting up in years and will likely garner quite a bit of attention should the Reds decide to turn him loose at the end of the campaign, but that decision likely hasn’t been made yet with the vast experience of the defender paying dividends with a chance to march into the later rounds of the Europa League on Thursday and a golden opportunity to claim some silverware in the League Cup final at the weekend.
“I can show people by my games that I’m still a top player. That’s all I can do and I will fight until the end. I will enjoy every second at Liverpool,” explained Toure, keeping his head held high and a positive attitude. “I’ve not had any offers for next season yet, and I’ve not been told anything,” he revealed. “If I keep playing like I am at the moment then I’m sure doors will open.”
