Kolo Toure is looking forward to playing a bigger role at Liverpool after finding himself on the fringes of the Manchester City squad over the last couple of seasons.

Toure completed a free transfer from City to Liverpool and after making a mere 29 appearances in the English Premier League over the last two years, and the former Arsenal defender sees this as the perfect opportunity to resurrect his career.

"Liverpool have given me the chance to show that at 32 I'm still one of the best defenders, and I will fight for that," Toure told the club's official website.

"These past two years of being 'part-time' have helped me refresh and be more hungry.

"I want to try and help Liverpool win trophies this season."

Toure has been brought in by Brendan Rodgers as a short-term replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher, and the 32-year-old is looking forward to fighting for a first team place next season.

"I am used to competition," he said. "When I came into Arsenal the competition was Sol Campbell, Martin Keown, Tony Adams -- it was hard competition.

"The only way to improve a team is to make players fight for their place.

"I know Jamie Carragher left the club and that's the reason why I'm here. He was massive for this club, he was a great professional and a great example for me.

"I will try to do what he did but I think that's going to be really difficult. It adds pressure because it's always hard to replace a big, big player like Jamie.

"I'm looking forward to that because I like challenges. I like to lead when I'm on the pitch, I like to speak to the players and organise things."

The Ivorian experienced his first taste of life at Liverpool Tuesday, before officially signing his contract with the club.

"It's like coming to a new school," he added. "But as soon as I came, Steven Gerrard came up to me and told me that if I needed anything, I could come to see him. That shows the spirit and mentality of this club.

"The manager welcomed me when I came, and all the players as well. It's really important to be part of a team that has spirit and togetherness and that's what I see here.

"For a first day, I'm really happy."

Rodgers has no doubts Toure can fill the considerably large void left by Carragher.

"Losing someone like Jamie Carragher was going to leave a massive hole for us in terms of his experience," Rodgers said.

"Kolo's experience is going to be really important for us - but not just that. He's someone with a winning mentality.

"There weren't too many available who were better than Kolo Toure. He's played with big clubs, he understands what a winning mentality is about.

"He's a good man as well -- he knows what the culture is like at a big club."