Martin Skrtel

[danperkins]

Dramatic improvement in Skrtel, one or two wild moments last night like the Skrtel of old but still highly impressive.

[McDermotX]

At the risk of unleashing a ****storm did anyone else think Skrtel was lucky not to get a red for his challenge on Bale in the second half, in the current 'all tackling is banned' climate? I think he only got the benefit of the doubt because of Bale's previous diabolical cheating (his blatant dive when Agger came to challenge him) but the TV pictures suggested Skittles had raked his shin

Don't get me wrong Skrtel was my MOM. I'm just curious about what others thought

I think the recent backlash of sorts about the whole area has helped in this case. Every five mins, some pundit is on about how this was never a red card etc etc etc, and its the 'up cycle' so to speak of the argument.
I'm veering more towards a yellow card as the fact he was clearly trying to nip in ahead of ****face, plus he was going in with the one foot meant the ref had to use some common sense.
Was lucky not to pick up a second card though going in on Friedel just after though..........think the fact we were pressing down the Kop meant the ref was happy with just the free out.

[Lee]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/skrtel-we-re-two-of-a-kind

Martin Skrtel believes that a good understanding - both on and off the pitch - is the secret behind his commanding defensive partnership with Daniel Agger.

Their fierce combination at the heart of the Reds' backline has coincided with Liverpool boasting the second best defensive record in the Premier League and helped Pepe Reina keep an impressive 10 clean sheets.

Between them, the pair have made 33 blocks and a total of 73 clearances in the 15 games they both started in the centre and Skrtel explained how Agger's technical ability in particular, has allowed the partnership flourish.

"At the moment it's me and Daniel playing. It's easy to play with him, he's a top quality player and great on the ball," Skrtel told LFC Magazine. "The understanding between us is working. Away from the pitch he's a nice guy too. We have things in common, such as tattoos and cars. We both have an interest in them and chat about them.

"I don't think it's just with Daniel, I think I have a good understanding with Carra and Seba (Coates) too. They are all top quality players. It doesn't matter who starts, I think the manager had four good centre-backs to choose from. Any of us can start a game."

The Slovakian international celebrated his four-year anniversary at the club in January having signed from Zenit St. Petersburg in 2008 and this season he has been imperious at the heart of the Liverpool defence, dominating in the air.

Despite being considered a regular for some time now, Skrtel insisted he has never felt more established at the club and was quick to heap praise on the impact Kenny Dalglish has made since his appointment just over a year ago.

"I played every league game last season. But, especially during the first half of the season, I didn't feel as comfortable as I do now," said the No.37. "I think when Kenny and Steve Clarke came in a lot of things changed, not just for me but for everyone.

"I think you can see that on the pitch this season. As a team we have been better, this year I feel more comfortable at the club than ever before.

"I don't think I've deliberately tried to be more aggressive, as long as it's the right level of aggression. That's the way I try to do my job. It's the only way I know to play. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. At the moment it is and I'm delighted with the way the team had been defending this season. We've kept a lot of clean sheets and that gives defenders a lot of confidence."

Skrtel is the Reds' top-scoring defender this season with two goals.

The first was a thunderbolt of a header into the Kop net to double Liverpool's lead against Bolton in August, while the second saw him rise in the penalty area to flick a Craig Bellamy cross past Brad Guzan at Villa Park in December.

He said: "Our first job is defending and not letting the other team score. If I score it's a bonus. It's more important to protect our goal. I've hit the bar a few times and scored some goals. With a bit more luck I might get one or two more before the season ends."

[Muddled]

He's been a revelation this season - much improved.

I think he can chip in with a few more goals - maybe looking to a toal of five - and it will be have been a great season. If he got his head over the ball when striking any loose balls in the box, it's easily achieveable along with his ability to attack the ball with his head.

[RedReet]

Who’d have thought that after all the 50p head jokes that a year or so later Sky would be saying things like 'there isn't a better attacker of the ball in the PL’. Slightly exaggerated no doubt, but still a fair measure of how much he’s improved.

[Lee]

To be fair, in previous seasons he did have a bit of a 50p head. He's turned it around though and improved massively.

[Roger]

skrtel has been boss this season.

the potential was always there, and it's important to remember that before this season he was playing alongside a rapidly declining player in carragher(as much of a legend as he is).

with skrtel & agger, both recently turned 27, we could have the centre of defence sorted for the next 4 or 5 years at least.

[RedReet]

skrtel has been boss this season.

the potential was always there, and it's important to remember that before this season he was playing alongside a rapidly declining player in carragher(as much of a legend as he is).

with skrtel & agger, both recently turned 27, we could have the centre of defence sorted for the next 4 or 5 years at least.

You would hope so, but I still worry that Agger has the body of an 87 year old.

[Roger]

You would hope so, but I still worry that Agger has the body of an 87 year old.

yeah agger's injury record is obviously still cause for concern.

[little dave hedgehog]

cause for hope if you're seb coates.

[baitman]

You would hope so, but I still worry that Agger has the body of an 87 year old.

but Skrtel still loves him

[Rich]

Another great performance and it looked to me like he was marshalling Carragher rather than the other way around.

[Craig_H]

He's been a revelation this season - much improved.

I think he can chip in with a few more goals - maybe looking to a toal of five - and it will be have been a great season. If he got his head over the ball when striking any loose balls in the box, it's easily achieveable along with his ability to attack the ball with his head.

Aye, he cant be far off that now, can he?

[Roger]

one of the best if not the best central defender in europe at the present time imo. doesn't have a weakness in his game.

powerful, quick, strong in the air, tidy on the ball, capable of scoring. he's got the lot.

[magicalbarnes]

one of the best if not the central defender in europe at the present time imo. doesn't have a weakness in his game.

powerful, quick, strong in the air, tidy on the ball, capable of scoring. he's got the lot.

He's much improved this season, but thats a bit OTT.