The defender joined Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer, in circumstances that he sees as similar to when his brother left Barcelona in 2010

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure believes Barcelona made a mistake in selling brother Yaya Toure, who he believes is “much better” than Sergio Busquets.

Kolo moved to Anfield in the summer having fallen out of favour at Manchester City and he sees comparable factors between then and when Yaya faced left Camp Nou to join the Blues in 2010.

“I have had a similar experience to Yaya,” the 32-year-old told The Sun. “Coaches come to clubs bringing players with them and they want to pick them at all costs – whether they are any good or not.

“Yaya was much better than Sergio Busquets at Barcelona. But he was behind him in the pecking order and he found that hard to accept.

“I advised him to come to Manchester City while I was still there. He listened to his big brother’s advice – and now he is the big boss on the field for them.”

Kolo has already made eight league starts this season as his new club have climbed to second in the table, and the defender feels he has proven a point to City.

“I was better than certain players at Manchester City but I was left on the bench,” he added.

“Before I left the club, I told the people in charge that they would regret letting me go. People said I was finished and that I could never get back to my former level.

“But now I am at Liverpool – and I am sure that City must be kicking themselves when they see how I am performing.”