Toure Hails the Impact of Liverpool's New Defensive Powerhouse

Kolo Toure has enjoyed a renaissance at Liverpool this season and has quickly become a firm fan favourite but the vastly experienced defender has been quick to praise his new defensive partner Mamdou Sakho.

The 23 year old arrived on deadline day with many suggesting that he would struggle to force his way into the starting line-up with Toure, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel all impressing in the early stages of the season.

However, injury and a change of formation from manager Brendan Rodgers has led to Sakho making five successive starts in all competitions following his £15m move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite a somewhat shaky start in the 2-2 draw with Swansea, Sakho has impressed with some powerful performances as Liverpool currently sit second in the table - behind only Arsenal on goals scored.

Sakho has been playing alongside Skrtel and Toure in a back three, and the Ivorian has been impressed with just how quickly the French defender has adapted to life in the Premier League.

"Sakho has settled in very quickly," Toure told the Liverpool Echo. "He is a fantastic player and has proved that in the matches so far.

He's strong in the air, powerful, good with the ball at his feet and very intelligent. He's a France international and has already shown his qualities for us."

The change of formation seems to have suited Liverpool who have only conceded more than one goal on one occasion in the league this season.

Rodgers has stated his intention to remain with three central defenders and it seems Toure is extremely pleased with how the new system is working.

"It has taken a lot of work on the training ground," added the former Manchester City defender. "The manger tells us what he wants and then us defenders work and talk to each other to make it happen.

"We have really clever players who have been able to understand that change really quickly. That's shown in the results. Sakho, Skrtel and Agger are all great players so there is good competition for places and we look very strong at the back."