Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has revealed that he turned down a chance to represent the Ivory Coast as he did not feel his form warranted the call-up.

Toure has not played for his national side since January, and the Reds centre-back said that the lack of playing time for the African nation was his own decision.

"They (national team officials) were calling me but I told them I had to prepare myself," Toure told reporters.

"I had to take time and start playing again because when you don't play for your club it is very difficult to play for your national team.

"You need to be fit to play and I wasn't playing a lot for Manchester City but this is a new start for me now and I am playing for a great club. I have been working really hard and everyone in Ivory Coast has been waiting for me."

Toure moved to the Reds on a free transfer in the summer.