Liverpool FC defender Kolo Toure knows exactly what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.
A title winner with both Arsenal and Manchester City, the 32-year-old Ivorian boasts more than a decade of top flight experience.
When Toure arrived at Anfield on a free transfer from Eastlands this summer he assessed the talent at Brendan Rodgers' disposal and declared that a Champions League was a realistic target this term.
The opening two months of the campaign have only strengthened his belief that the Reds are well equipped to secure a top-four finish.
Seven games have yielded an impressive 16 points with Liverpool sitting pretty in second place – level on points and with the same goal difference as Arsenal, who top the table on goals scored.
Toure has played his part in a flying start to the season and he has no concerns about the Reds' ability to last the pace.
"There's no doubt this squad is good enough to get a Champions League place," Toure said.
"We have so many good players and there's a great mentality here. We are at a fantastic club.
"We need to keep playing well every week and give 100% for our team-mates and the fans.
"We're up there and now it's very important to try to stay there. A season is like a marathon and there will be plenty of ups and downs.
"We're happy with where we are but we must keep working hard and try to be as close as possible to the top.
"The Premier League is a tough competition and we can't look too far ahead. We'll take it game by game and be really focused because we know there are really hard games in this league.
"Every game is like a final for us. Let's see how far we can go."
Toure admits standards slipped during Saturday's 3-1 home victory over Crystal Palace. The Reds raced into a 3-0 lead inside 38 minutes before easing off during a lacklustre second-half display.
There is clearly room for improvement but the veteran defender believes the fact Liverpool have made a habit of winning games without being at their best is a positive sign for the months ahead.
"We will learn from the mistakes we made against Palace," Toure added.
"We lost a little bit of concentration after scoring three goals so we have to keep playing and moving the ball to prevent the other team from being dangerous.
"We needed to control the game better than we did in the second half. The manager has told us we have to improve on that.
"But there were also a lot of good points in that game and the most important thing is we got the three points.
"After losing at home to Southampton, it was vital we beat Palace at Anfield and we did that. When you get goals early in games that makes it much more easier.
"The next challenge will be Newcastle. When we all come back to Melwood after the internationals it will be like a new season starting again."
Toure has quickly established himself as a fans' favourite at Anfield. His wealth of experience and infectious enthusiasm has helped bring out the best in players around him.
Defensively, he has been rock solid but it's the firepower of Rodgers' squad which really excites the Ivory Coast international.
"Our forward line is so strong," he said.
"In Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge we have two great strikers. Victor Moses is also a very important attacking player for us.
"Luis showed against Palace and Sunderland why it was so important the club kept him this summer.
"We all wanted him to stay because he is a such a top striker. To have players like him and Sturridge is so important. They are both goalscorers and are doing a great job for the team."
Toure lauds impact of Liverpool new boy Sakho
Kolo Toure has hailed the impact of Liverpool new boy Mamadou Sakho.
The French centre-back has made five successive starts following his £15million switch from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day.
And the experienced Ivorian defender has been impressed by how quickly Sakho has adapted to the demands of Premier League football.
"Sakho has settled in very quickly," Toure said.
"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."
Toure, Sakho and Martin Skrtel have formed a three-man backline for the Reds in recent weeks. The change of formation has paid off with back to back league wins over Sunderland and Crystal Palace.
"It has taken a lot of work on the training ground," Toure added. "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."
Toure on Liverpool move reinvigorating his international career
Kolo Toure has revealed how his move to Liverpool has reinvigorated his international career.
The 32-year-old centre-back has been recalled to the Ivory Coast squad for their World Cup play-off first leg against Senegal on Saturday.
Toure won the last of his 103 caps back in March and his lack of match action for Manchester City towards the end of last season led to him making himself unavailable for his country.
However, his fine form since he signed for the Reds caught the eye of coach Sabri Lamouchi and Toure has accepted the challenge of helping his nation book their passage to next summer's finals in Brazil.
"They are very big games and I can't wait to play in them," he said.
"They were always calling me about playing for my country but I told them I had to prepare myself.
"I had to take time and get back playing again because when you don't play for your club it is always very difficult to play for your national team.
"You need to be fit to play and I wasn't playing a lot for City but this is a new start for me now. I am playing for a great club in Liverpool and I hope to help my national team go to the World Cup.
"There is great respect for Liverpool in the Ivory Coast. They know I've been playing regularly for one of the best clubs in the world.
"Everyone in Ivory Coast has been waiting for me. When I was not playing they were talking but I knew what I was doing.
"I knew my qualities. I just had to work hard and get playing again. Now I'm ready to help my national team."
Saturday will be the first meeting between the sides since their African Cup of Nations qualifier last October was abandoned because of fans rioting.
With Senegal still banned from playing at their national stadium, the second leg on November 16 will be played in Casablanca, Morocco.
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