Kolo Toure Lauds Jurgen Klopp Management Style

Toure was released by the Reds following the expiry of his contract, having moved to Anfield in the summer of 2013 from Manchester City on a free transfer.

The former Ivory Coast international provided back-up for Jurgen Klopp's team in 2016 as they reached the Europa League final but lost 3-1 to Sevilla.

"In terms of another Liverpool icon, I was at the club for the beginning of the Jürgen Klopp era," Toure told Liverpoolfc.com.

"His man-management is incredible, I have to say. I was really surprised with how he managed players – players who don't play, players who did play. Everybody was happy.

"Being able to manage 25 players and still make them feel part of the project is an incredible skill. I've tried to take that into my coaching career now.

"The first time you shake his hand, you feel somebody really warm. There's no trying to be something he's not. He's a natural man.

"With his stature physically and in the game, you think you're going to see somebody very serious or someone to be scared of. No, no. He makes you feel like you're a friend. He tried to show you you're part of his family.

"I always loved his analysis meetings. That was a moment to really know what he wanted from you, from the team. It was always a positive environment. He was detailing exactly what he wanted from you as an individual and as a group. You had total clarity.

"I'm glad I could play a small part in the incredible journey that's happened since."

He added: "My last game for the club was the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla. But the truth is, I had an opportunity to stay."

"I spoke to Jürgen and he told me my contract wasn't going to be renewed – but he did, however, want me as a coach in his backroom team. That was massive for me.

"I think I was in Africa when he made the call, 'Kolo, we want to keep you but I want you in my coaching staff.' I told him I needed to think about it.

"Having the opportunity to work with him as a coach was immense – it was going to be fantastic for me. But at the same time, I was talking with Brendan at Celtic as well. Brendan was offering me one more year as a player. It was a hard decision to make, very hard.

"Liverpool was a great place for me. With the intensity of the game and my personality, it all fit really well. But ultimately, I wanted to play one more year and then just see what came after that.

"Of course, I'd follow Brendan to Leicester City as a first-team coach and we'd come up against Klopp's Liverpool. Oh man, preparing for those games... (even though we did well in some).

"Without fail, you always knew you were going to play against a very intense team with world-class players. You couldn't focus on one or two, you had to focus on four, five, six, seven really because the squad is so strong.

"It was always special to return to Anfield. It's a place where you were playing for really hard-working, honest people that knew football really well – three characteristics I loved. When you gave your best, your heart, your energy, the crowd loved you. The feeling was mutual.