THERE are times when a piece of information creeps up on you, and then controls you. It consumes your every thought. It bends your emotions.
I’m sat in front of my laptop, scrabbling for an intro on a Jürgen Klopp piece while scratching around in a bowl of fiery Cheetos, and out of nowhere it hits me.
The Europa League final will most likely be Kolo Toure’s last game for Liverpool.
I dust off the residue of crisps on my fingers, push my Mac back, and pour over my thoughts on this.
I’ve known for months that the Ivorian, at 35, is closing in on his time as a Red.
I’ve known for much longer that he is out of contract in the summer.
I’ve known, I’ve known.
But there are times when a piece of information creeps up on you, and then controls you.
In the build-up to the European showpiece, I wasn’t expecting Kolo to dominate my thoughts. Wasn’t expecting his face to make mine turn upside down. Wasn’t expecting to be this affected.
Walk with me…
At the start of June 2013, when it became apparent Liverpool would complete the signing of the Ivory Coast international as a free agent from Manchester City, I thought we’d rewinded to April 1st.
The Reds were having us off! What was the sense behind recruiting a 32-year-old, who’d given his best years to Arsenal and was already fading at the Etihad? What sort of ambition was that?
Now, here I am. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m writing this with unbrushed teeth, uncombed hair, in Piglet slippers and PJs. I’m not ashamed to admit my insides are twisting at the idea of not seeing Kolo lighting up the pitch pre and post-match with his laughter.
I’m definitely not ashamed to admit I couldn’t have been more wrong about him three years ago.
Liverpool may have signed a player past his powers, but they acquired one that has never given less than everything of himself at the club. There will be those who choose to highlight comedic own goals, untidy back passes or brainless clearances. If that is what you associate Kolo with, above all, I feel bad for you son.
He is a player who does not equate his profession merely to ‘minutes on the pitch.’ Whether he starts a game, is on the bench or is not in squad altogether, Kolo contributes. His worth cannot be measured by the usual metrics of blocks, aerial duels and the like. To limit his offering to statistical data would be to ignore his importance as Liverpool’s golden thread. He stitches everything together and ensures everyone is okay.
Kolo was the player Daniel Sturridge turned to during his nightmarish injury run.
Jordon Ibe has stated he seeks the consul of his “big brother” on matters football-related or otherwise. Simon Mignolet has highlighted the defender’s calming influence in the most chaotic, despondent or pressured situations. If you took a poll at Melwood about the most influential player at the club, he’d be sitting pretty at the top. The most popular? Him again. The most respected? You know the answer to that.
Watch the clip of Steven Gerrard leading the team in a west-African dance while chanting Kolo’s name on holiday in Dubai again. Look at them, all having the time of their lives celebrating a man who is the very meaning of fun. Who absolutely loves what he does, and it shows. Who warms you and is welcoming and is wondrous in his enjoyment of every little thing. Who makes you feel like it’s going to be alright.
Toure is not just all laughs and good vibes though. One of the biggest reasons Stevie holds him in such high esteem is because “he always stepped in to help. He always said, ‘I’m here.’”
When Luis Suarez felt like the walls were closing in on him after the gutting 3-3 draw at Selhurt Park in May 2014, it was Kolo who picked him up, shielded him from the cameras and guided him to the tunnel as the title dream died. “It seemed to take an eternity to get there; I was being led almost as if I was a blind man,” explained the Uruguayan.
“I didn’t take my head out from my shirt the entire way. Kolo walked me all the way, talking: “Okay, okay, we’re nearly there…”
“In the dressing room, there was absolute silence, no-one said a word. Not one word for 20 minutes at least…
“Kolo was the person who broke the silence. That’s the way he is; it’s his personalty. I really appreciate what he did for me, leading me off the pitch. It’s rarer than you might think to find a player who supports you like he did that night. And the important thing for me is that he didn’t just do it there, as we went off the pitch, in front of everyone. No.
“He stayed by me in the dressing room, when I still felt awful, and on the team bus afterwards, he came and sat with me for a bit. He came to see how I was, to try and comfort me.”
Last year, when Ivory Coast ended 23 years of African Nations Cup disappointment by finally being crowned champions, I interviewed the centre-back, who slotted his penalty in the final against Ghana, as well as some of his team-mates. Unprompted, they all referenced his positively in the build-up to the match as well as during it as a factor in their victory. “Kolo made us believe,” said goalkeeper Boubacar Barry, who was the hero of the night.
He also admitted that Toure sparked his performance by telling him in the days leading up to the showpiece that he was going to be difference between both sides: “He made me feel like a giant. That is what he does to us.”
If the affection from Kolo’s peers at club and country was unsurprising, so too was his reaction when I asked him about a project I heard he was working on.
He is building a home for orphaned kids in the Ivory Coast, but refused to talk about it: “That is something to do, not to speak about,” Toure said with a twinkle. “It is for them, not for me.”
Kolo is giving. Of his time, of his experience, of his wealth – but most importantly, of himself.
We all feel like we’ve got a piece of the man born in Bouake, because we actually do. Large chunks. Everything he’s had, he’s shared.
Tonight, in Basel, I hope he gets something back.
I hope he holds that heavy-ass trophy aloft.
I hope his engulfing smile paints St Jakob-Park.
I hope, if this is goodbye, it’s a golden one.
I know I’ll often stop and think about you, Kolo. In my life, I love you more.
DO IT FOR KOLO!
Good piece, Melissa.
I’d give him a 12 month extension just to have around the squad and use in cup games next season if need be. The fans love him and so do the players. He might also become a future ambassador for the club in Africa because he clearly feels a bond with Anfield.
He’s been working on his coaching badges for a while now, and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get offered a role in some capacity – perhaps at the academy. A man of his experience and personality is such an incredible asset.
Brilliant Melissa. What are the chances of Kolo stepping up to slot a pen on his final game for Liverpool I wonder? Legendary status nailed on.
Penalties?!? Haven’t you had enough drama in the road to the final? haha
Brilliant piece Melissa. I love the man for not treating it all so seriously and to just have fun. He’s clearly a well looked up to person in the club and deserves the love from the fans
Love that he has such a great balance. He is deadly serious in training and making sure he’s ready when called up. He’s deadly serious in games. He is deadly serious in enjoying the fact that he’s involved in something he is so passionate about.
Jesus fucking Christ. Reading about him and Suarez has tears in my eyes. I wish I had someone like him to have picked me up after that match. I still haven’t quite gotten over it.
Great piece.
There doesn’t seem to be much, if anything that escapes Klopp’s attention so he will surely see what an influence Kolo is and give him at least a year for now, with maybe coaching to come further down the line.
Great piece. He seems like one of those fellas that it’s just incredible to have around the place. For that reason I not only hope we win tonight (natch) but also that the club offers him a role as you’ve intimated they might above Melissa.
Chaps like Kolo don’t come around too often. Let’s cherish him.
Absolutely love Kolo.
He was brought in as a 3rd/4th choice centreback and has played his part and more.
Was thinking last summer we should just let him go but so so glad now we didn’t.
I really hope he gets to lift the trophy tonight.
Can’t wait to see his celebrations.
Top article Mel – sent shivers down my spine
What a fella. Yeah, let’s just keep him on another year. Wouldn’t have Lucas leave either. There’s your league cup centre back partnership for cup games next season talking the kids through the game.
<3 Kolo
Oh Kolo… I was a doubter but you’ve proven me wrong. Hope we keep him around in some role or another. You could build a (backroom) team around Kolo.
Comforting to know that TAW articles get written in between servings of Cheetos. Makes me feel better about the pizza grease on my laptop keys as a result of commenting on them.
Only a man such as Kolo Toure could come away from laying on that goal for Anichebe and that OG against Fulham and emerge even more popular with the supporters than before. What a man!
One more year, please.
The only man (bar Sturridge) to walk away with any dignity after tonight. Looked like he put everything on the line and can hold his head high. The less said about the rest of that clown show the better. Good luck for the future Kolo, it’s been a laugh.
Only one to emerge with any credit tonight.
Nice fella.
Fully agree. So many went missing today, but Kolo always had his head in the game. Never seemed bothered by the occasion. Just did his job. That’s what experience brings. Hope against hope Klopp sees the value of that and keeps him in the squad for another year.
So that’s one of our worst ever League finishes, worst ever European Final displays, yet we’re being told he is the man to take us forward…not seeing the evidence to back this up….if he was a British Manager would everybody be so forgiving???
What, why and how are you saying this? Who the fuck comes to that conclusion after last night? And what’s all this British manager shit, you ukipper? Yeah let’s get a British manager in for a British club and be waving our union jacks and get knocked out by Augsburg in the last 32 you tit. Hodgson might be available after the summer mate so watch this space.
Can’t wait for Pardew’s Liverpool in 2 years time… Christ almighty, you’re a bell end.
Excellent response Tom. Dunno what planet this meff is on.
We have been brilliant at times in the last 3 months. We just picked the worst time to have a REALLY bad 2nd half performance last night.
Who has mentioned getting a British manager???? Union Jacks ???? Are people not entitled to an opinion… love keyboard warriors who give abuse because they can… fact is we failed miserably, have performed poorly in the league and put in at best an inept performance against an average La Liga side….. sorry I am not on the Klopp bus as the best thing since sliced bread. Also 3 months do not make a season…
Yeah I’m a keyboard warrior yeah and what’s all the “????????” for? Because you brought it up. We had the only British manager in the league worth a crack at the Liverpool job coming into October and he was then replaced by one of the absolute best in the world. Still not enough for you though.
Hang on lad. You can’t blame Klopp for the season. He only fucking started in mid October! Given he needed to work with the players to get his ideas and style of play across while in the middle of playing pretty much twice a week, it’s no wonder the performances have only picked up the last three months or so. He’s done a damn sight more than most expected of him. 8th placed finishes are never acceptable for Liverpool, but there’s no way he’s at fault for that. The last three months are what you have to look at most as that’s when you start to see what his team will look like. Yes, there was still some poor performances, but some very good ones too. Many a lot of us thought the players weren’t capable of. So there’s a lot of positivity going forward into next season. A few additions and no Europe to focus on will hopefully mean a top 4 finish. That’s what Klopp will be aiming for. So judge him, if you wish, when he’s had a full season.
Absolute best? Based on what exactly? He has presided over 30 League games winning 13, drawing 9 and losing 8. Culminating in one of our worst ever league finishes, failed to motivate a team in a UEFA Cup Final, then when it crumbled failed tactically to plug the gaps. Has just lost his fifth straight cup final. So tell me his world class criteria? Oh yes he won a 2 horse league when the dominant side were in transition with a caretaker Manager called Jonker. Benitez won far greater a competition in his first season with a lesser side against a team who at that time had a world class player in every position on the field, aside from the Keeper – Dida. Without any European Competition next season he needs to be competing for the league from day one, not top 4. If it were anybody else he’d be on a plane to Boston.
Based on his career in football management mostly. Yeah, that.
What are you suggesting here? Get rid after not even a full season and get Benitez in? I don’t know anymore. Everyone’s gone mad.
Are you reading anything of this? I am basing my opinion solely on facts, yes he is likeable, says the right things however, the jury must still be very much out on him delivering silverware for Liverpool. He has been in charge for the best part of a full season, his passion has spread to the fans, players seem unable or incapable of getting his method of play. His transfers and targets thus far are hardly inspiring. We do not have to just finish above one side we have to compete against in a league were most sides will be equal next season.
Never came across a bigger killjoy wool in my entire life!
Aside from 12 months spent in London, I’ve spent my entire 44 years in Liverpool. Not a killjoy, a realist. I have seen nothing yet to convince me Klopp will deliver our first League title for 27 years. I hope I am proved wrong, but as I have said the jury is still very much out.
I’very just seen this now and have such pangs for Kolo. Gutted he didn’t get to lift the trophy. Fantastic article, love the man.