From Mirror football:
"By David Anderson | 12/09/13
Kolo Toure says no defender’s place is guaranteed at Liverpool - despite their perfect start.
Liverpool’s backline has yet to be breached this season in the Premier League and they have gone 417 minutes without conceding.
Brendan Rodgers beefed up his rearguard on deadline day by signing Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Llori and Toure knows the competition for places is intense.
The former Invincible claims the arrival of Sakho and Llori will benefit the team because no-one can take their place for granted.
“It’s fantastic,” said Toure. “The competition has increased and everybody has to work really hard every day.
“The competition will be really tough and we need to work extra hard. Nobody will be expecting to play, we’ll all have to fight, but I love the competition.
“That’s the only way we can make the team better and I’m glad we have signed two very, very good players.
“We know all about Mamadou Sakho, he is a very good player. Tiago has also come in from Portugal and is a really good defender as well.”
Toure should return from his groin strain for Monday’s trip to Swansea and Martin Skrtel was excellent in the win over Manchester United in his absence.
The Ivory Coast international hopes his vast experience may persuade Rodgers to start him at the Liberty Stadium and he had been impressive before being injured against Notts County in the Capital One Cup.
“I will always bring my experience,” he said. “The competition will be fair and I will help them when they need it. We work as a team, but I will do my best to show the manager I can keep my place.
“I enjoy taking on responsibility. With the experience I have, I can help them and show them the way.”
Toure is not shocked that Liverpool are top of the Premier League for the first time since January 2009 and says it is their reward for all their hard work this summer.
“I’m not surprised because of the effort we put in during pre-season and the commitment of the players every day in training,” he said. “Being top just motivates us even more.
“The manager is doing a great job, all the staff are working really hard. We need to carry on doing that and the results will come.”
Kolo would be a good vice captain if/when Agger is injured or dropped.
"By David Anderson | 12/09/13
Kolo Toure says no defender’s place is guaranteed at Liverpool - despite their perfect start.
Liverpool’s backline has yet to be breached this season in the Premier League and they have gone 417 minutes without conceding.
Brendan Rodgers beefed up his rearguard on deadline day by signing Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Llori and Toure knows the competition for places is intense.
The former Invincible claims the arrival of Sakho and Llori will benefit the team because no-one can take their place for granted.
“It’s fantastic,” said Toure. “The competition has increased and everybody has to work really hard every day.
“The competition will be really tough and we need to work extra hard. Nobody will be expecting to play, we’ll all have to fight, but I love the competition.
“That’s the only way we can make the team better and I’m glad we have signed two very, very good players.
“We know all about Mamadou Sakho, he is a very good player. Tiago has also come in from Portugal and is a really good defender as well.”
Toure should return from his groin strain for Monday’s trip to Swansea and Martin Skrtel was excellent in the win over Manchester United in his absence.
The Ivory Coast international hopes his vast experience may persuade Rodgers to start him at the Liberty Stadium and he had been impressive before being injured against Notts County in the Capital One Cup.
“I will always bring my experience,” he said. “The competition will be fair and I will help them when they need it. We work as a team, but I will do my best to show the manager I can keep my place.
“I enjoy taking on responsibility. With the experience I have, I can help them and show them the way.”
Toure is not shocked that Liverpool are top of the Premier League for the first time since January 2009 and says it is their reward for all their hard work this summer.
“I’m not surprised because of the effort we put in during pre-season and the commitment of the players every day in training,” he said. “Being top just motivates us even more.
“The manager is doing a great job, all the staff are working really hard. We need to carry on doing that and the results will come.”
Kolo would be a good vice captain if/when Agger is injured or dropped.
