Wednesday 5 November 2014 13:41, UK
Liverpool defender Kolo Toure says the performance against Real Madrid on Tuesday proved that the squad has strength in depth.
Manager Brendan Rodgers gave some of his fringe players a start at the Bernabeu, with an eye on this weekend’s big Premier League match against Chelsea.
However, even without players such as Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling, Liverpool performed well against the reigning Champions League winners in a 1-0 defeat.
Toure made his first start in anything other than the Capital One Cup since February but may be set for more regular action, after Real’s prolific forward Cristiano Ronaldo was kept off the score-sheet.
"People were saying we had no chance against Real Madrid but that gave us motivation," said Toure.
"When you don't play a lot and a manager gives you a chance to show what you can do, you give everything you have got.
"That is what happened and that's the way we need to play in every game now. We all showed the manager we will fight.
I know we lost but I am very happy because we played a really good game. At the end of the day, everyone worked hard and showed so much determination.
"I know we lost but I am very happy because we played a really good game. At the end of the day, everyone worked hard and showed so much determination.
"We had a lot of players out there who haven't played many games this season but we showed what a good squad we have.
"It doesn't matter what players play here, they will give 100 per cent. You have to be ready and we showed that.
"As a team, we worked so hard, and I am really proud of the boys. We could have got a draw out of it.
"I have missed games like this. These are the kind of games you remember all your life. The last game I played here was with Arsenal, when we won.
"I play with my heart and I am ready to fight for my club."
Liverpool are third in Group B after a pair of losses to Real and qualification will depend on their results in their final two group encounters at Ludogorets and at home to Basel.
"We are still in there,” said Toure. “We will do everything to win those last two games and get through to the next round.
"I definitely believe we can do it. If we play with our quality and our heart then we will win those matches."
