Kolo Toure released by Liverpool

Image: Kolo Toure is now a free agent after being released by Liverpool

Liverpool have officially confirmed the departure of defender Kolo Toure after publishing the list of the club's retained players.

The 35-year-old Ivory Coast international is the highest-profile name to leave Anfield this summer after his contract expired.

The Reds chose not to offer Toure a new deal despite him finishing the season as first-choice centre-back alongside Dejan Lovren and impressing in Liverpool's Europa League final defeat to Sevilla.

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There was a point in the last month when there appeared to be a chance Toure could be given a new short-term contract with the future of Mamadou Sakho unclear after his failed drugs test.

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

Image: Toure joined the Reds on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2013

With that in mind, and the fact Joel Matip is arriving from Schalke on a free transfer and the 19-year-old Joe Gomez is returning to fitness after a cruciate knee ligament operation, the decision has been made to let Toure go.

Liverpool had considered offering Toure a coaching role but the defender is keen to extend his playing career as long as possible and could now get a lucrative deal as a free agent.

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