Liverpool FC have opened talks with defender Kolo Toure over a one year long extension as the Ivory Coast international’s two year long contract with the Merseysiders comes to an end this summer.
James Pearce of Liverpool ECHO reports for the media outlet:
“The 33-year-old centre-back is out of contract this summer but the Reds have opened talks with his representative over an extension.
Boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to retain Tourea s services in the knowledge that his young squad would continue to benefit from the Ivoriana s wealth of experience. However, Toure says he must decide whether to finish his career as a squad player at Anfield or move elsewhere in search of regular first-team football.”
Toure has been used as a squad player this season but has performed well everytime he has been selected, with his most memorable and convincing performance coming against Real Madrid last year in the second leg match of the Champions League group game at the Bernabeu.
The former Manchester City and Arsenal player was on the verge of consolidating a first team spot but had to go for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament which had Emre Can sieze the opportunity and establish himself in the back-line.
Toure was substituted in to replace the injured Martin Skrtel early on in Sundaya s FA Cup stalemate with Blackburn Rovers and performed solidly.
a My agent is talking to the club so we will see in a few days,a Toure said.
a The club have to think and I have to think as well.
a It is a decision (whether to stay as a squad player or move for regular football) and that is why I need to think very hard and then take a decision and stick with it.
a It is very important to know what you are facing. Whether you are going to be playing or not. I need to do the right thing for me and my family.a
The Premier League winner with Arsenal also believes the Reds have it in them to qualify for the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
a We have shown we can go anywhere and win,a he said.
a Ita s going to be a different game and we have to be 100% and give everything wea ve got to win.a