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 ended his long wait for a first Liverpool goal in the 6-0 thrashing of Aston Villa and admitted: “This means so much to me.”

The veteran Ivorian defender marked his 60th appearance for the Reds by heading home Jordan Henderson's corner to complete the scoring at Villa Park.

It was Toure's first goal since he netted for Manchester City against Wolves way back in January 2011.

“It feels fantastic,” Toure told the ECHO.

“Finally, my first goal for Liverpool. It has taken a long time but I am very happy.

“It means so much to me. Nearly three years I've been at this great club and it had been five years since I last scored. I hope goals more will come now.

In pictures: Aston Villa v Liverpool:

“I hadn't planned a celebration. I wasn't sure what to do!

"It was a great corner from Jordan and I was just so happy to see my header go in.

“It had been so long. I have to thank God. He's the one who has kept me out there. I'm 34 but I'm still here playing for such a big club.”

Toure was proud to be part of a “perfect” display from Jurgen Klopp's side who put recent setbacks behind them in style.

Goals from Daniel Sturridge and James Milner put the Reds 2-0 up at the break.

Liverpool then struck four times in the space of 13 second-half minutes through Emre Can, Divock Origi, Nathaniel Clyne and Toure.

“Everything was perfect today,” Toure added.

“You could see it from the first minute. We controlled the game.

“We pressed the ball at the right time. We did exactly what the manager asked us to do. We were clever.

“We used our brains. We defended well as a team. We didn't concede any cheap goals. Then we used the ball well and created a lot of chances.

“With the great strikers we have we can kill off any team. Six different scorers and that's what the manager wants – everyone being part of the game.

“When we attack, we all go forward. And we all have to defend too.”

Toure hailed the injection of quality provided by Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho.

Sturridge was making his first league start since October, while Coutinho hadn't featured in the league since early January due to a hamstring strain.

“Just look at the first goal,” Toure said.

“Coutinho cross, Sturridge scored. First chance for us, first goal. They make the difference. They are both top players and we are really happy to have them.

“We have a great squad. We just need to repeat that type of performance.

“If we all listen to the manager we'll be fine. What we did today is exactly what he wants from us on the pitch.

“We want to be consistent. We've been too up and down but having these players back should help give us that consistency.

“If we keep performing like that then we can cause some big surprises.”