The Reds centre-back put in a memorable performance at Real Madrid. He’s still got it…
Kolo Toure has become a cult figure on Merseyside.
If fans aren’t singing the ‘Kolo Toure song’ (which goes like this… Kolo, Kolo Kolo… etc), they’re using a meme of him smiling saying ‘don’t be upset.’
Last night, however, the Liverpool defender’s performance was no laughing matter. And it is no understatement to suggest that he handled Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo rather well.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was impressed with his performance:
And there is no wonder, considering the fact that the Reds did what many teams have failed to do: contain Real Madrid enough to concede just one goal against them.
| Position | Team | Tackles Won | Effective Clearances | Interceptions Won | Aerial Duels Won | Appearances | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kolo Touré | DF | Liverpool | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 90 |
| Javier Manquillo | DF | Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 90 |
| Alberto Moreno | DF | Liverpool | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 90 |
| Martin Skrtel | DF | Liverpool | 1 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 90 |
As Opta stats show, the Ivorian won more tackles than any other Liverpool defender and also won an aerial duel, as well as an interception.
Toure made six clearances, too, although he was bettered by team-mate Martin Skrtel on that front.
The way the 33-year-old handled Ronaldo, however, was something statistics cannot quantify. It was a joyous sight for Liverpool fans.
It was also enough to get ‘Kolo Toure’ and ‘Kolo’ trending on Twitter throughout the night (goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was also trending). Could the centre-back now be in line for a surprise start against Chelsea in the Premier League this Saturday?
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