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Toure urges Liverpool to 'keep calm' over defending

Kolo Toure scored an own goal against Fulham © Getty Images

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Kolo Toure has called on his Liverpool team-mates to "keep calm" in their bid for Champions League football amid increasing criticism of their defending.

Brendan Rodgers' side are the Premier League's top scorers with 70 goals, but have looked uncertain at the back, conceding seven times in their last three matches.

Sunday's 4-3 win over Swansea strengthened Liverpool's grip on fourth spot, but it was a victory riddled with defensive errors.

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has acknowledged that they have to become more solid at the back if they are to achieve their aim of Champions League qualification.

But Toure - who has been responsible for some of Liverpool's recent defensive mistakes, including an own goal in the 3-2 win at Fulham on February 12 - insists that there is no need to panic.

Toure, who signed on a free transfer after being released by Manchester City last summer, pointed to Liverpool's impressive goalscoring record as a sign that they have the quality to pull through.

Liverpool face five Premier League games in March, a run that begins with three consecutive away games.

They visit Southampton on Saturday, Manchester United on March 16 and Cardiff on March 22. They then finish the month with home games against Sunderland on March 26 and Tottenham on March 30.

Toure, 32, told Liverpool-based radio station City Talk: "We just need now to keep calm and do what we have been doing. If we continue that, we will get the same results.

"There are going to be some tough games; Southampton is a tough place to go but I think we can score goals and defend well as a team - and we are working hard."

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