Liverpool FC Forum

With at least two weeks off after this match, is it not possible for Kolo to get through this game on (cortisone) injections?

Kenny Kan » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:24 am wrote:With at least two weeks off after this match, is it not possible for Kolo to get through this game on (cortisone) injections?

With it quoted as being a tear, I suspect you would have a significant risk of worsening the tear by playing on it further.

I believe pain killing injections are typically only offered to strains that haven't torn.

SouthCoastShankly » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:42 am wrote:

Kenny Kan » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:24 am wrote:With at least two weeks off after this match, is it not possible for Kolo to get through this game on (cortisone) injections?

With it quoted as being a tear, I suspect you would have a significant risk of worsening the tear by playing on it further.

I believe pain killing injections are typically only offered to strains that haven't torn.

It's probably not worth the risk in playing him really.

i remember kelly pulling up during a midweek game with his hamstring and then we played him again at the weekend and it snapped leaving him sidelined for a lenghty period.
we cannot afford that to happen to toure for the sake of one game, even if it is manure.
surely skrtel is in a better position to start ?

red till i die!! » Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:57 am wrote:i remember kelly pulling up during a midweek game with his hamstring and then we played him again at the weekend and it snapped leaving him sidelined for a lenghty period.
we cannot afford that to happen to toure for the sake of one game, even if it is manure.
surely skrtel is in a better position to start ?

It's good news that the injury isn't as bad as first thought but he should only play if fully fit - and I hope it doesn't mean they won't buy another CB

BR hints at KT return

"The Reds centre-half, who joined on a free transfer this summer, was carried off on a stretcher in the second half of normal time in the club’s 4-2 extra-time victory over Notts County in the Capital One Cup.

The 32-year-old was expected to miss the Red Devils clash this weekend, but Rodgers believes the Ivory Coast international could still make an appearance in the north-west derby at Anfield on Sunday.

“His injury is nowhere near as bad as what we thought,” said Rodgers. “We’ll just assess that over the next 24-48 hours.

“I think we were all thinking that he might be out for longer after the game, but he’s made an excellent recovery. The diagnosis isn’t anywhere near as bad as we thought, so we’ll see how he is for this weekend.

“If it’s not this weekend, then we would think that after the international break he will not be too far away.”

On Joe Allen’s injury status, Rodgers added: “With Joe, likewise, it was only a grade one strain, so he maybe doubtful for the weekend. But certainly after the international break he’ll be fine.”

However, the Reds manager confirmed loan signing Aly Cissokho is facing a lengthier spell on the sidelines.

“Cissokho will be slightly different [to Toure and Allen]. He could be out for four to six weeks, which is a blow because he came in and trained really well last week,” he added.

“He’s on crutches at the moment and we’ll just look at that over the coming weeks. But he certainly won’t be available [for the Manchester United game].”

thats great news on toure and if he is fit to play, then we are in good shape heading into sunday.

Either way, I reckon RvP would tear Kolo a new one if he played. If we DO get Ilori by the weekend, then I'd throw him in. Be brave. Challenge him to show us what he can do.

Throw in a 20 year old who has played a handful of games against one of the best strikers in the world ? Well that's one way of smashing any confidence nice and early

Thankfully he won't have signed in time for such a ludicrous idea to happen

Did sh1t for brains say something constructive just now?

Hopefully Toure will be magically cured for Sunday

In this week's Talking Reds column, Harry Hugo writes about new 'fan favourite' Kolo Toure - and how the defender has proved plenty of people wrong since arriving at Anfield.

I'll be honest: I wasn't sure about the signing of Kolo Toure. Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers were moving in a forward direction with a new wave of talent forming the guard. Liverpool were seeing success with a creative, youth collective. Kolo Toure was the antithesis: a 32-year-old centre-back.

I think Kolo himself would be the first to accept that he found it tough in his last season at the Etihad, and that it looked as though the pinnacle of his career had come and gone. It seemed, from the outside, as though Rodgers had bought Toure as a filler player, who would take up a squad role.

I was wrong. As were most.

It always made sense to replace the departed vice-captain, Jamie Carragher, and on a free transfer this sensible approach became a no-brainer. Rodgers lacked leaders, winners and characters. Toure is all three. But still I had doubts as to whether he could play the number of games and minutes that we needed from a first-team defender.

It was because of form that Carragher had regained his place in the starting XI last season, with Slovakian international Martin Skrtel being the obvious choice at centre-back in the early part of the season. It seemed, after the signing, as though Kolo would be installed into the team as a third choice, with Skrtel reinstating his position as first choice. Injuries would go on to deter this.

Toure's emphatic introduction aided Rodgers' tactical ideal of a high back-line. With Carragher in the team the previous season, this was something hard to implement because of the juxtaposition of the two centre-back's pace.



Not only does this allow the high line, but it gives more freedom to the full-backs, who are more secure in the fact that there's a balance in the centre of the pitch. This is then added to when Lucas drops in between both Toure and Agger. This transitional phase from defence to attack has been made a lot easier and functional just because of the former Manchester City man's leading attributes.

I write this as Liverpool lie top of the league, down, in no small part, to the solidity that Toure has provided alongside a classy partner in Agger. I feel assured as they patrol their zones in defence, complimenting each other's attributes perfectly and covering each other's rare mistakes.

However, as good as the partnership has been, Toure has been the star of the show and I'd even argue that the Ivorian has been the best defender in the league so far.

Toure has once again become feared by strikers and this formidable nature is something Liverpool have lacked since Sami Hyypia was standing beside Carragher in defence. Fear is what makes a team challenge and if Liverpool can channel that fear into a dynamic that wins matches; they have a desired formula.

All this is then enhanced when you add the fact that Toure is versatile. He can play centre-back, right-back and occasionally defensive midfield. This is something Rodgers requires in his system: someone that can be utilised in many positions without feeling uncomfortable.



However, he hasn't just come into the team as a silent performer. Oh no. Kolo Toure is a character - something Liverpool haven't had enough of in recent history; especially in the public eye.

He's got fan pages a plenty, a Chuck Norris-style Kolo Toure facts feed and even a lad with his name tattooed on his foot; even if it does have a minor spelling defect. There's a connection there - something you don't often get with footballers. A reciprocal respect.

Some people will insist that the fan group has created a cult out of Kolo Toure and his actions. I disagree. Toure has made a cult of himself; his camaraderie, outlandishness and deadpan attitude to life draws affection even from the staunch Kopites.

We never saw this side of Toure before he joined Liverpool. Pair this attitude off the field with the professional attitude he serves on it, and you have a player that fans have inevitably warmed to.

If it were possible, I'd have more Toures in my Liverpool team. He epitomizes the 'fun' that football should promote; yet he still manages to evoke class and elegance both on and off the field.

Kolo Toure is a great sport, and sport is great when Kolo Toure's playing it.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/talking ... -favourite

Our best defender thus far this season.

Keep it up Kolo. 

Kenny Kan » Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:43 am wrote:Our best defender thus far this season.

Keep it up Kolo. 

Yeah, turning out to be a very shrewd piece of business by Rodgers.