Liverpool Transfer News: Kolo Toure Targeted by Turkish Club, Top Rumours

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure could be about to depart Anfield after rumours emerged Turkish club Antalyaspor want his signature. 

The former Arsenal player is wanted to shore up the newly promoted team's defence for the second half of the campaign, as reported by AfricanFootball.com (h/t Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star).

Toure has never been an automatic pick for Reds coach Brendan Rodgers since his capture from Manchester City in 2013, and now at 34, he would surely be tempted by first-team football in the twilight of his career.

Turkey has become a popular destination for ageing footballers looking for a challenge outside of Europe's top divisions, with Robin van Persie joining Super Lig club Fenerbahce.

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Antalyaspor had previously chased Manchester United's former World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Victor Valdes, as reported by Marc Williams of the Daily Star, but no deal materialised as the player was retained by the Red Devils.

Toure is yet to appear in Liverpool's first team in the Premier League this season and only made 12 appearances last term, according to Squawka.com.

Liverpool have struggled in defence after an initially solid start, but the lack of centre-back options has cost Rodgers dear in recent weeks. 

Toure is not a viable replacement for any of his regular back four, despite his flexibility and experience, and the Liverpool coach needs to bring in defenders of a better standard to bolster the cause. 

Danny Murphy Defends Rodgers

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Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has said the club's transfer policy has "killed" Brendan Rodgers, as the team struggles to make an impact in the Premier League.

The pundit told talkSPORT (h/t Jacob Murtagh of the Mirror) Liverpool's transfer committee has held Rodgers back from acquiring the talent he desperately needs:

"

I’ve harped on about the recruitment at Liverpool, and it’s killed Brendan at times, really. I think he’s taken the backlash for the owners and the transfer committee. Yes, he has a say, I’m sure he has an influence with certain players, but I’m sure there are other times where he’s told, ‘no you can’t have him’. He’s been outspoken in the past of his admiration for Ashley Williams at Swansea, but he wasn’t within Liverpool’s criteria.

Two seasons ago, when Liverpool were close to winning the league, Brendan showed a lot of intelligence in terms of tactics and changes in formation. He’s shown a lot of bravery at times, maybe too much with changing the systems and personnel. 

But it is now at a point when come Christmas, if things haven’t picked up…there is a time for everyone. But the signings this summer were better than last summer, that’s for sure, so I believe he’s still got enough in that squad, if he can get them on the pitch together, to compete for the top four. Let’s just see how it is at Christmas.

"

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Murphy's comments add a salient argument to the building clamour for Rodgers' head, with superstar coaches being mentioned as replacements. The Daily Mail's Dominic King says former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is "keen" to take the reins at the failing Anfield giant, with the lauded German sure to inject fresh energy into everyone at the club.

Tony Barrett of the Times believes there is no smoke without fire, as former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti also is rumoured to be a target of Liverpool owners FSG:

It does seem Rodgers' days as Liverpool manager are over, and it will be impossible for the American owners to turn down the likes of Klopp or Ancelotti if given the chance to work with them.

Rodgers has spent a fortune on players, but the vast majority of his captures have not performed; this points towards either poor tactics on the pitch or poor transfer targeting by Rodgers—either way, both are the coach's responsibility. 

Murphy believes Rodgers should be given until the Christmas period, but the only way that will happen is if Liverpool's form changes in the blink of an eye.

The team's League Cup performance against Carlisle United suggests that isn't going to be the case anytime soon.