Liverpool star: This is what we need to do to beat Manchester United

KOLO TOURE believes Liverpool need the Kop and a strong mentality to triumph over old rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

 

Kolo Toure is getting worked up for Liverpool's clash with Manchester United

 

The 34-year-old Ivorian stalwart is back in the first-team picture at Anfield after injuries to Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren.

Toure started for Liverpool during their 1-0 win at Stoke in the first-leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final with Stoke last week.

Liverpool signed Steven Caulker on emergency loan from QPR in time for last night’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal but Jurgen Klopp picked Toure, who’s nearing 500 Premier League appearances, to start alongside Mamadou Sakho in central defence.

 

The Ivorian has praised the Reds for improving in recent weeks after a tricky Christmas period but the games continue to come thick and fast - and no game means more to Liverpool fans than a clash with United at Anfield.

“It’s going to be another big game for us,” Toure told the Liverpool Echo.

“These are the kind of games you can win if you are strong mentally. If we can be strong, and the fans push us like they did against Arsenal, that can give us something extra.

 

“There has been a big, big improvement recently and that’s very important when you’re at a big club. You can’t ever give up.

“When you refuse to lose games, you often find yourself winning them.

“We showed character and resilience and we didn’t give up until the end of the game.”

 

Brazilian playmaker Roberto Firmino scored a fabulous brace against Arsenal last night and Toure is convinced the former Hoffenheim star, who signed for £32.5million last summer, is beginning to shake off his doubters who believe his style doesn’t suit the Premier League.

“He’s a good player,” added Toure. “He’s very technical. He helps the team a lot because he keeps the ball very well. He can run and shoot, he’s a top player.

“I’m not surprised about what he did against Arsenal because he’s been doing that in training every day.

“It’s always difficult when you come into the Premier League. You need time for adaptation. But he’s done well and he’s going to improve, for sure.”