Fowler backs Kolo Toure to fill Carragher void

Posted Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Former Liverpool striker believes that new signing Kolo Toure will be able to replace the retiring Jamie Carragher in defence.

Liverpool signed Toure on a free transfer from Manchester City as a move to replace the Carragher, who retired at the end of the season. Fowler believes that Toure's experience as a Premier League champions will help fill the gap left by Carragher and backed it up with his previous experiences playing against the Ivorian.

"I've played against him numerous times and he is a fantastic player," Fowler, who scored 183 goals during two spells with the club, told Liverpoolfc.com.

"I'm sure coming to a new club will spur him on that little bit more and he will want to do well. He will want to play. I think he will try hard in training and a little bit of pride will set in.

"You look at his performances over the years for Arsenal and Manchester City - he has been magnificent in the Premier League. Let's hope that he comes to Liverpool and carries on that magnificent form.

"He's been a fantastic player. His experience will be vital for Liverpool, especially after losing Carra. Carra was unbelievable for Liverpool and, if anything, he was probably Liverpool's best defender last year. He will be a big miss.

"I don't know if Kolo Toure will play all of the games, but Liverpool as a team and a squad certainly needed a lot more numbers. Brendan is doing that right now. Toure has been there and worn the T-shirt in the Premier League so I think his signing is absolutely magnificent."

Liverpool are set to make their second signing of the summer after closing in on Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas, and Fowler hopes that the new signings will be able to replicate the impact left by summer signings Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.

He added: "I don't really know too much but I'm sure the manager has done plenty of homework. If they are anything like the signings we made in January then we could be onto a winner.