Toure: Why that goal was very important to me
It was clear to see just what his first goal for Liverpool meant to Kolo Toure on Sunday but the defender later explained why it was 'very important' he opened his account for the club.
The No.4’s 71st-minute header from Jordan Henderson’s corner was academic in the context of the game against Aston Villa, given that the Reds had already racked up five unanswered strikes in a clinical display.
But once the centre-back had seen the ball spin into the net to seal a 6-0 result for Jürgen Klopp’s side, he turned with a trademark smile etched across his face and set off to celebrate with a pack of delighted teammates.
Toure told Liverpoolfc.com: “I hadn’t scored for a long time. For me, it was very important to score at least one goal for Liverpool because every team I’ve played for, I’ve scored. I did it and I hope more goals will now come!
“It was a fantastic day. We played very well as a team – we defended and attacked very well. The first goal made the difference. First chance, first goal, with an assist from Philippe Coutinho.
“That’s what we need, top players deliver. Defend as a team and fight as a team to get a clean sheet. If we play like that in every game, there aren’t many teams that can stop us.”
Free: Watch Toure's first LFC goal
He continued: “Every game we play, we have to play in that kind of way. We just need to be focused and control the game. We are a technical team, and physical because we have so many young players.
“When we don’t have the ball, we chase it. When we get the ball, we save it. If we can counter, we do. We respected Aston Villa. We just need to repeat that kind of performance because that’s what we are capable of doing.”
Klopp fielded Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge in attack at Villa Park and his team’s energy and invention steamrollered their relegation-threatened opponents.
The latter began the scoring with a well-taken header, before James Milner, Emre Can, substitute Divock Origi, Nathaniel Clyne and Toure found the target to secure maximum points.
Asked about the impact of having Sturridge back in the XI, Toure said: “He’s a top player. To have him in the team, we love it. [He is] technically amazing and a goalscorer.
“But the team is strong; we have Origi, who came on and first chance, first goal. That showed a young player getting better and improving. [Christian] Benteke is playing very well and the goal will come.
“Kevin [Stewart], the young midfield player, came in and played very well. That’s what we need to do, everybody giving 100 per cent for the team, fight, play simply and respect the team.”