The Ivory Coast defender is determined to secure Champions League football next season and he also believes that his recent form means he is ready to play for his country again

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is convinced the Anfield outfit have the required quality to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.

The Reds currently sit in second place in the table, and the Ivorian thinks that the club’s early season form has only strengthened the squad’s belief that a top-four finish is achievable.

“There’s no doubt this squad is good enough to get a Champions League place,” Toure told the club’s official website. “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 per cent 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 has not played for the Ivory Coast since March but received a recall for their World Cup play-off against Senegal and he thinks he is ready to help his nation qualify for next summer’s tournament.

“They are very big games and I can’t wait to play in them,” he continued. “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.”