Toure: We feel bad for the supporters
Liverpool's players shared the sharp disappointment of the fans after surrendering their FA Cup dreams against Aston Villa on Sunday, explained Kolo Toure.
The Ivorian defender watched from the bench at Wembley as the Reds took a lead through Philippe Coutinho but were ultimately eliminated in the semi-finals.
Christian Benteke responded to the opener within six minutes and Villa captain Fabian Delph then struck shortly after the interval to stun Brendan Rodgers' side.
Steven Gerrard had a header cleared off the line late on, but the team and the Kopites who travelled south were left to regret a 2-1 reversal and below-par display.
Toure told the Press Association: "You feel bad. It is always difficult when you lose a semi-final like that. Collectively we were not very good. Villa really fought and gave everything to win the game.
"Of course, we wanted to do very well for the last game of Stevie for the club but at the end of the day, we wanted to do it for the fans because this club deserves to have a trophy."
The result ruined Gerrard's chances of signing off his Anfield career by returning to the national stadium next month and lifting the club's eighth FA Cup.
Not only would such success have been a fitting farewell after 17 remarkable years of service to the Reds, but the final is scheduled for the No.8's 35th birthday.
"He is fine," reported Toure. "Of course he is sad, like all the dressing room, but he has been in this game for a long time and he knows how to deal with these situations."