Kolo Toure: 'Brendan Rodgers is similar to Arsene Wenger'

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has claimed that there are similarities between Brendan Rodgers and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Toure was brought to the Premier League by Wenger, before going on to become a key member of the Gunners squad which avoided defeat on the way to the title in the 2003-04 season.

The Ivorian believes that Rodgers has the ability to lead Liverpool back to form due to his approach, which he believes can be compared to Wenger's at Arsenal.

"I do see Wenger in him, because he's so intelligent. He knows how to speak to players and how to get the best out of them," Toure is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "He will prove that, because we will come out of this hard time.

"Last season was unbelievable. This season has been more tough. We need to stick with Brendan though, because he's one of the best managers in the Premier League.

"At the end of the day, he's a fair guy who is working hard and gives 100% every day. Like Arsene, he's always there at training, trying to improve things. His style of play is also similar. He always wants us to pass the ball and keep playing which is very important."

Liverpool will look to end a run of three successive defeats in the Premier League when they host Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.