After installing admin_toolbar (drupal.org/project/admin_toolbar) i realized that the content / add content / add page | add article) submenu items were missing. The solution is to enable the "Admin Toolbar Extra Tools" module which is part of this project. Also make sure that you have enabled (Show as expanded) option in the content menu link settings page (web/admin/structure/menu/link/system.admin_content/edit).
