Rumour Mongering: Kolo Toure Won't Receive Contract Extension

For a back-up centre back who wasn't supposed to be relied on, Kolo Toure had a pretty good season for Liverpool FC this year. He deputized both Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho through their various injuries and suspensions during the second half of the season, earning his minutes over an out of favour Martin Skrtel. Many felt that though the Ivorian's contract was due to run out at the end of June, Toure had proved himself worthy of extension.

Those hopes are likely to be dashed, though, at least according to the Daily Mail. The Mail "has learned" -- from nebulous anonymous sources, no doubt -- that Toure isn't going to be offered an extension and thus will need to find himself a new place to ply his trade should he want to continue playing football. Toure spoke last week about how he would like to stay on if it was up to him, but understood and respects if Jürgen Klopp decides he's surplus to requirements.

Were it any other player, the lack of an extension offer to Toure would probably be obvious. Though Mamadou Sakho's future in red is still up in the air, the arrival of Joel Matip, the substantial improvement of Dejan Lovren, and even the return of young Joe Gomez from injury all indicate that thirty-five year-old Toure wouldn't be anywhere near the starting line-up in a season with a significantly reduced number of minutes to go around.

But Toure is a fan favourite, not least of which is because he seems like a positive influence in the dressing room and still has many intangible qualities to offer his teammates off the pitch. It's hard to justify a squad spot on someone who's main role will be as a booster rather than a player, though, and short of offering Toure a coaching or ambassador role that might keep him at the club, it's not difficult to see how Klopp might no longer see a place for Toure in the match day squad.