Kolo Touré has backed Liverpool to maintain the form that has put them just four points from the top of the Premier League. Photograph: John Powell/Getty Images
Kolo Touré insists now is not the time to allow criticism of Liverpool's defensive vulnerability to affect their run-in.
The Reds' shaky defence is coming under increasing scrutiny after Sunday's 4-3 home win against Swansea made it seven goals conceded in their previous three matches.
Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets in their past 11 games stretching back to mid-December, moreover, but Touré, who has had his fair share of recent defensive calamities, believes they still have a grip on their situation.
Victory over Swansea, coupled with Tottenham's defeat at Norwich, means there is a six-point gap – effectively seven with Liverpool's vastly superior goal difference – between Liverpool and their nearest rivals for a top-four spot.
They remain four points behind the leaders Chelsea, but the striker Daniel Sturridge's form, scoring in his last eight consecutive league games to take his tally to 18, and the enduring quality of Luis Suárez (23 league goals) mean they are confident of outscoring most teams. "We just need now to keep calm and do what we have been doing, if we continue that we will get the same results," Touré told City Talk 105.9.
"There are going to be some tough games; Southampton [this Saturday] is a tough place to go but I think we can score goals and defend well as a team and we are working hard."
The Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet also believes a sensible and composed approach will pay dividends as the season enters its final three months.
"We are in a good position at the moment but with 11 games to go there are still a lot of things that can happen," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"We need to stay calm and just focus on our next game. We won't be thinking about what's happened against them in the past [Liverpool have lost their last three visits].
"The gaffer gives everyone confidence. When you step on to the pitch you know that he's behind you and supporting you. Everyone is trying to do their job the best they can and we need to keep doing that until the end of the season."
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