Liverpool to sign Kolo Toure from Manchester City

Kolo Toure looks set to join Liverpool on a free transfer after his contract expires with Manchester City (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle to sign Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.

The centre-back will be registered as a Reds player when his current contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in the coming weeks and he will officially join the club on July 1.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has turned to the 32-year-old in order to add some experience to his back four following the retirement of veteran Jamie Carragher.

The Reds boss is keen to get his business done as early as possible to avoid the sort of problems which arose last summer.

Then he loaned striker Andy Carroll to West Ham the day before the August deadline in the belief he would be signing Clint Dempsey.

But the move collapsed after owners Fenway Sports Group baulked at Fulham's asking price and the United States international moved to Tottenham instead.

With Toure approaching free agent status it was a relatively straightforward deal to complete and further additions in defence are expected.

The future of centre-back Martin Skrtel remains in doubt after the Slovakia international lost his place to Carragher in the second half of the season.

Comments from the player in his homeland over the weekend appeared to suggest a move was a possibility and with Sebastian Coates also likely to be moved on, Rodgers' defence may need some rebuilding.

Toure's vast wealth of Premier League experience, having joined Arsenal in 2002 before moving to City, provides an ideal stop-gap while the Reds boss looks for younger alternatives with greater potential.

PA