Defender Kolo Toure has urged the injury-ravaged Liverpool squad to show fighting spirit in the FA Cup tie with Exeter on January 9.

The Reds squad has been hit hard by injuries, leaving Toure as the only fit centre-back available to manager Jurgen Klopp.

With some crucial fixtures coming up, the veteran Ivorian has implored his teammates to get ready for a battle as they deal with the mounting injury woes at Melwood.

"We have a young team and they need to learn the past is gone and every performance is a challenge where you must give 100 per cent no matter who you play," he said.

"That is what happened to me in my career. You learn there is no time to relax. To come to Stoke and play like we did is one thing, but if we go to Exeter [for Friday night's FA Cup third round tie] and think it is going to be easy, then we will find ourselves in a tough game.

"We need that team spirit in every game. If you think you are going to win easily, then you have no chance because this is a very difficult league – anybody can win.

"We lost that game (at West Ham) because there was less commitment but at Stoke we showed great fighting spirit."