Kolo Toure released by Liverpool

Kolo Toure has been released by Liverpool following the expiry of his contract, according to report.

Toure’s release ends his three-year spell at Anfield following his arrival from Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer of 2013.

The former Ivory Coast international provided back-up for Jurgen Klopp’s team last season, getting a regular run in the side after the suspension of Mamadou Sakho towards the end of the campaign.

Toure, 35, started for Liverpool in the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla and made 25 appearances in all last term. He was brought to Liverpool by former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers to add some experience to the squad and in total made 71 appearances for the club.

There was a point in the last month when there was a chance Toure could earn a new short-term deal with the future of Sakho unclear after an anti-doping violation.

However, the France international’s initial 30-day suspension has not been extended as UEFA investigate whether the fat burning substance found in his sample should even be on their banned list.

Klopp is happy to let Toure move on with Joel Matip due to arrive at Anfield from Schalke this summer and Joe Gomez returning to fitness after a long-term injury

Martin Skrtel is set to follow him out of the door with Besiktas interested in signing the defender.

Liverpool had considered offering Toure a coaching role, but he is keen to continue his playing career and is reported to be weighing up offers from Major League Soccer sides and Chinese clubs.

Toure’s departure from Liverpool will be officially confirmed when the club’s list of retained players is published on Friday.

Other players on the released list will include Jose Enrique, Jerome Sinclair and Jordan Rossiter — all of whom have already left Anfield.

Joao Carlos Teixeira is reported to have been offered a new contract but has expressed his desire to leave.

Of the players who are still in contract Liverpool have had preliminary discussions with Emre Can about extending his deal, which still has two years to run.

Klopp would also like Joe Allen, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract, to stay but the midfielder is seeking more regular first-team football and no talks have been held over an extension yet.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has already expressed his desire to take the 26-year-old back to the Liberty Stadium.

“I think it has been well-documented that Joe is going to look at his future when he is finished out at Euro 2016 with Wales,” he told reporters

“Naturally, we are interested in good players like Joe who may be available this summer given that he has a year left on his contract. Obviously we will keep tabs on his situation and see what happens later in the summer.”