You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Kolo Toure believes the transformation in Liverpool FC’s fortunes is testament to the managerial talent of Brendan Rodgers.

The Ivorian defender says the Northern Irishman’s training methods and man-management skills have been crucial to the Reds’ progress this season.

Toure, who arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City last summer, believes Rodgers has instilled the belief and tactical discipline which has enabled Liverpool to exceed people’s expectations so far.

They currently sit fourth in the Premier League – just four points adrift of leaders Chelsea with 11 games remaining – and are well placed to end the club’s five-year absence from the Champions League.

“We have a great manager here,” Toure told the ECHO.

“He knows what he wants and as a player he gives you confidence.

“Whatever you do, he will always help you. It doesn’t matter if you have made some mistakes, he keeps talking to you and keeps believing in you. He’s a really intelligent manager.

“Every day the training sessions are always amazing and that can only improve our quality.

“Coming to Liverpool has been amazing for me. When I came here I saw a group of players who were really focused and concentrated.

“I think the manager has done so well – since he came here a lot of things have changed. Teams know that when we play at home we can destroy them.

“At the beginning of the season no-one was expecting us to be where we are now. We just need to enjoy it, give 100% and fight for each other to win games.

“If we work together we can beat any team.”

Toure knows what it takes to clinch the Premier League crown having won it twice with Arsenal and Manchester City.

The centre-back will have a big part to play both on and off the field over the coming months as Liverpool look to turn up the heat on their rivals.

However, Toure is confident Liverpool’s youngsters can handle the pressure of a title race.

“At this stage of the season there are a lot of nerves and this is when you need to keep calm, believe and concentrate,” he said.

“I like to help my team-mates, I like to be around the team and bring my experience.

“What has impressed me about the young players here is that they are strong mentally. You saw that against Swansea.

“It’s unbelievable how hard players like Jordan (Henderson) and Raheem (Sterling) work. Jordan is always helping the team and talking a lot.

“This team has everything. We just need to keep our nerve. We are up there but we know there are some hard games coming up.”

Toure came off the bench for the final half hour of last Sunday’s thrilling 4-3 win over Swansea City when he replaced Daniel Agger.

He was delighted to get the nod from Rodgers having been dropped for the FA Cup tie at Arsenal following his blunders against West Brom and Fulham.

Having gifted Victor Anichebe a late equaliser at the Hawthorns, Toure then scored an embarrassing own goal at Craven Cottage.

He insists those errors weren’t playing on his mind when he came on against the Swans.

“Of course I was able to put those things behind me because it’s part of the game,” he said. “Only people who take responsibility make mistakes. For me, I like to take responsibility. I like to pass the ball. That’s my job.

“Like a basketball player, if you miss one shot, you have to be brave and take another one.

“You don’t feel sorry for yourself. You don’t think ‘I missed so I won’t try again’. I’ve just kept working hard.”

Competition for places at the back is about to increase with Mamadou Sakho close to a return to fitness.

This Saturday’s trip to Southampton is likely to come too soon for the £15million French centre-back so Toure will be battling it out with Agger to partner Martin Skrtel at St Mary’s.

Toure admits whoever is selected needs to ensure Liverpool tighten up defensively following the mistakes which blighted last weekend’s dramatic victory over the Swans. Not for the first time this season the Reds’ firepower got them out of jail.

“We know we need to control games better than that as a team,” he added.

“If you want to be in the top four or win the league, you need to defend well. We are scoring a lot of goals but for sure we need to get a better balance.

“It was a tough game against Swansea. The fact that the other top teams played on Saturday and all won put a bit more pressure on us. The manager spoke to us about that before the game.

“Simon Mignolet made a great save at 3-3 to make the team believe and we went up the other end and scored a fourth.

“The most important thing was that we got the three points. Now we need to go to Southampton and defend well as a team.

“Every player here is so committed. I see that in training every day. Everyone wants to play, everyone wants to win. It’s a great group.”

More Liverpool news:

Luis Suarez has spoken of the importance of Steven Gerrard's role in convincing him to stay at Anfield

Olympiakos fans show support for Justice campaign

Remembering Ronnie Moran's remarkable LFC career

On this day: Reds win their eighth League Cup