A combination of Brendan Rodgers’ tactical instructions, the players’ sheer belief and an “amazing” atmosphere in the stands is slowly turning Anfield into a fortress once again, Kolo Toure says.
The Ivorian had mixed emotions in front of the Kop before he arrived on Merseyside in the summer, winning three times in L4 with Arsenal, the team Liverpool thrashed 5-1 at home Saturday.
In all, Toure played at Anfield 11 times for Manchester City and the Gunners. Five months after emerging from the famous tunnel for the first time as a Red, the place is starting to feel like home.
Toure’s team has won 13 out of 15 clashes at Anfield this season and has been in formidable form in the last two outings, putting nine past Everton and Arsenal.
“You know, this stadium is amazing,” the center back told Liverpoolfc.com. “Anfield is an incredible stadium, and when we play at home the way we usually do, it’s difficult for teams to stop us.
“We know that when we play at home, we are really strong going forward, but at the same time we defend very well, too.
“I think right now, what we are doing at home is great, and the manager has told us to be focused and to not make mistakes, because in those games, a mistake can put pressure on the team.
“You have to try and play very well when you play at home, because that makes the team who are playing against you a little bit scared.
“When they come to your home, your house, they think they can put pressure on you, and I think we have shown that every time we play at home, teams know they are going to struggle, because we are going to put them under a lot of pressure.
“We’ll defend and fight until the end of the game, and I think we give credit to the manager because he is doing a great, great job. Since he came here, we can see a difference. The team is playing well, and everyone is really focused.”
Toure watched as Liverpool demolished his former side with four goals in the opening 20 minutes at Anfield last weekend.
Toure rushed across the turf in celebration to congratulate his central defensive partner, Martin Skrtel, who prodded the Reds ahead after a minute of play.
The No. 4 could have netted himself moments later, when Luis Suarez cannoned an unstoppable effort onto the post and the ball fell to Toure yards from the goal line.
Another from Skrtel, two from Raheem Sterling and a calm finish from Daniel Sturridge completed the rout.
“We’ve got to believe that when we play at Anfield we are really strong,” Toure said. “And I think that’s what we need to take into the games when we play away from home.
“Arsenal was a fantastic game for us. We played so well from the start to the end, and we were so focused. Martin scored two fantastic goals, and the team worked so hard from the front, and that made the game easier.
“I think we did really well. We didn’t make any mistakes, and we were really focused, and we put pressure on Arsenal definitely.”
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Photo via Facebook/Liverpool FC
