In an exclusive interview with the new centre half, Skrtel tells Liverpoolfc.tv why he intends to make the most of the opportunity to play for one of the world's most famous clubs.
"To be the first Slovak to play for Liverpool makes me very happy," said Skrtel. "Not many Slovakian players have had the opportunity to play in the English league. I have and I will give it everything to succeed here.
"I can't wait to play at Anfield. The stadium is beautiful and Liverpool have got the best supporters in England, if not the world. I can't wait to play there for the first time."
Refreshingly, Skrtel avoided the now customary boast at his unveiling that he'd always supported the Reds. However, he revealed to Liverpoolfc.tv that he is all too aware of goings on at Anfield over the last few years.
He said: "I know about the great history of Liverpool FC and the tradition. Watching the Champions League final when Liverpool played AC Milan in Istanbul left a big impression on me. That type of game doesn't happen every day. I watched it on the television and I thought at half-time, 'That's it'. What happened in the second half was absolutely unbelievable."
Skrtel also arrives with the blessing of Rafael Benitez who has compared his style to that of Jamie Carragher. It is a plaudit the player is very happy to accept.
"I knew about Jamie before I came here. He is a very good player and it's a compliment for me to be compared to him," he said.
Since his transfer window capture from Zenit St Petersberg, Skrtel has been working hard on the Melwood training pitch to get his sharpness back as he hasn't played a competitive game for four weeks.
He has a burning desire to succeed at Anfield and is not fazed by the strong competition for places at the club. In fact he thrives on it.
"The manager has told me he will give me time to improve my fitness and fit in and I know about how tough the competition for places is here," added the Reds number 37. "That is a good thing for a club to have and I will give it my very best.
"I will be working as hard as I can so I can get into the squad and I will also try to learn to speak English as soon as possible."
While this new challenge in England gives Skrtel a real chance to show his qualities in what is regarded as the best league in the world, he admits it was something of a wrench to leave his former club.
"I was at Zenit for three and a half years and I really enjoyed my time at the club," he said.
"Leaving was quite sad for me because I had some good friends there but that is the life of a footballer and now I'm looking forward to a new challenge at Liverpool. I will always have good memories of my time at Zenit."
Despite him moving to one of the biggest club's in Europe, Skrtel won't be taking things for granted. His father Dusan will make sure of that. He played competitive football for his local team and always makes sure Martin keeps his feet on the ground.
"My father is a big influence on me because he was the first person that took me to a first football game," he added. "He was my first coach and he taught me the first football steps. He always gives me advice and he is my biggest fan and also my biggest critic."
"To be the first Slovak to play for Liverpool makes me very happy," said Skrtel. "Not many Slovakian players have had the opportunity to play in the English league. I have and I will give it everything to succeed here.
"I can't wait to play at Anfield. The stadium is beautiful and Liverpool have got the best supporters in England, if not the world. I can't wait to play there for the first time."
Refreshingly, Skrtel avoided the now customary boast at his unveiling that he'd always supported the Reds. However, he revealed to Liverpoolfc.tv that he is all too aware of goings on at Anfield over the last few years.
He said: "I know about the great history of Liverpool FC and the tradition. Watching the Champions League final when Liverpool played AC Milan in Istanbul left a big impression on me. That type of game doesn't happen every day. I watched it on the television and I thought at half-time, 'That's it'. What happened in the second half was absolutely unbelievable."
Skrtel also arrives with the blessing of Rafael Benitez who has compared his style to that of Jamie Carragher. It is a plaudit the player is very happy to accept.
"I knew about Jamie before I came here. He is a very good player and it's a compliment for me to be compared to him," he said.
Since his transfer window capture from Zenit St Petersberg, Skrtel has been working hard on the Melwood training pitch to get his sharpness back as he hasn't played a competitive game for four weeks.
He has a burning desire to succeed at Anfield and is not fazed by the strong competition for places at the club. In fact he thrives on it.
"The manager has told me he will give me time to improve my fitness and fit in and I know about how tough the competition for places is here," added the Reds number 37. "That is a good thing for a club to have and I will give it my very best.
"I will be working as hard as I can so I can get into the squad and I will also try to learn to speak English as soon as possible."
While this new challenge in England gives Skrtel a real chance to show his qualities in what is regarded as the best league in the world, he admits it was something of a wrench to leave his former club.
"I was at Zenit for three and a half years and I really enjoyed my time at the club," he said.
"Leaving was quite sad for me because I had some good friends there but that is the life of a footballer and now I'm looking forward to a new challenge at Liverpool. I will always have good memories of my time at Zenit."
Despite him moving to one of the biggest club's in Europe, Skrtel won't be taking things for granted. His father Dusan will make sure of that. He played competitive football for his local team and always makes sure Martin keeps his feet on the ground.
"My father is a big influence on me because he was the first person that took me to a first football game," he added. "He was my first coach and he taught me the first football steps. He always gives me advice and he is my biggest fan and also my biggest critic."
"Liverpool have the best supporter's in England, if not the world". 


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