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Philippe's signature was secured earlier this year, Raheem Sterling's and Jordan Henderson's contract extensions are allegedly in the pipeline, but there remains one important cog in the Liverpool wheel that is only now just being addressed: Kolo Touré. Like a handful of others, the Ivorian is out of contract at the end of the season, but Brendan Rodgers is keen to retain his services.
"My agent is talking to the club so we will see in a few days," Touré said on the one-year extension he was offered. "The club have to think and I have to think as well. It is a decision (whether to stay as a squad player or move for regular football) and that is why I need to think very hard and then take a decision and stick with it. It is very important to know what you are facing. Whether you are going to be playing or not. I need to do the right thing for me and my family."
Touré came to Liverpool on a free two years ago under largely the same circumstances, when it was clear at the time that he wasn't to be a regular starter. Although he's an obviously agreeable option from the bench, Touré hasn't ever established himself as first choice on Brendan Rodgers' back line. Barring catastrophe, there is little that could happen between now and the end of the season that would elevate Touré's position above that of Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, or Emre Can. (Or Dejan Lovren on a good day.)
It's the second time in as many summers that Liverpool find themselves with a centre back on the outs who wants more playing time despite not being first choice in their manager's plans. Touré's squad role for the past two years makes it far more likely that he'd continue to accept a squad role going forward as compared to other dearly departed centre backs, but turning thirty-four in a few weeks might give him pause over the opportunity to make one final move before the end of his career.
