Why it makes sense for Liverpool to keep Toure and sell Agger

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The Reds have reportedly rejected a bid for the Ivorian from Turkish side Trabzonspor.

According to Sky Sports, Liverpool are determined to keep the veteran at the club despite Toure being far from first choice under Brendan Rodgers.

That does not appear to be the case with Daniel Agger, however, who looks as though he is set to leave Anfield this summer, with both Barcelona and Brondby are said to be interested.

Looking at the situation at face value, if the reports are true you might question what Liverpool are thinking.

Agger is a proven performer, a loyal servant year after year. Toure, on the other hand, has been on Merseyside for just one season, and it was far from the best.

And yet, there is logic in any decision to keep the 33-year-old, instead dispensing with Denmark’s Agger.

For reasons that have left many puzzled, Rodgers does not seem to be Agger’s biggest fan. Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho are ahead of the 29-year-old in the Liverpool pecking order and he may struggle for first-team football now that Dejan Lovren has also joined up with the Reds.

Agger is still a good defender, though, commanding a reasonable transfer fee.

Selling him would make far more financial sense than letting go of Toure, who has just one year left on his contract. The Ivorian’s presence at Anfield, meanwhile, is much more about team spirit and helping young players in training.

Toure is still fit enough to play regular football but will be happier to settle for a backup role than Agger. And, with Skrtel, Sakho and Lovren competing for a place in the starting XI, the responsibility will never be too great on the 33-year-old.

Of course, the errors that crept into Toure’s game last season would be unwelcome this term. Statistically, however, the Ivorian was no worse than Agger, and even outshone him in several areas.