Liverpool to release Kolo Toure today10:36, 10 JUN 2016 UPDATED 10:36, 10 JUN 2016
BY NEIL JONES
Reds defender's name is on the list of released players to be confirmed by the Premier League this afternoon
Kolo Toure's Liverpool exit will be confirmed today.
The Ivorian defender's contract at Anfield expires at the end of the month, and he has not been offered a new one.
Toure's name will be on the list of released players submitted by Liverpool to the Premier League, which will be published this afternoon.The 35-year-old made 71 appearances for the Reds after joining on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2013, including 25 last season. His final outing for the club was the Europa League final in Basel last month.
The former Arsenal and Manchester City man stated after that game that he was still unsure of his future, but reiterated his desire to stay at the club.
“Of course I want to stay,” he said. “It's a great club to play in, but the manager has his plan and any decision I will respect. He is a top manager and he knows what he is doing."
Jurgen Klopp has already signed a centre back, Joel Matip, this summer and with teenager Joe Gomez to return to training for pre-season, and no European football to fill out the fixture list, the decision has been taken to let Toure, an influential and popular dressing-room figure, leave the club.
Liverpool considered offering Toure a coaching role with the club, but the player is keen to prolong his playing career and is now set to consider his options. Monaco have expressed an interest according to reports in France.
Other players set to feature on the released list later include Jose Enrique, Jerome Sinclair and Jordan Rossiter, all of whom have already left Anfield. Joao Carlos Teixeira is understood to have been offered a contract, but is expected to leave in search of regular first-team football.http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-release-kolo-toure-today-11453530
