Martin Skrtel

[McDermotX]

Solid again last night, and was vital in dealing with Can's lapses in position. Made a number of important blocks and challenges when we were on the ropes and still found himself in their area on occassion. Nothing spectacular but was the highlight of the CBs last night for being in the right place on the majority of occasions. Would have liked to see the same communication with Can as was evident in the last two games, and he's part of a defence/GK setup that **** itself whenever a setpiece comes in.
More of the same please.

Then again......it was only a League 2 side.

[Chazza]

Well this is going to cause a bit of discussion

Liverpool are ready for talks with Martin Skrtel over a new contract
• Brendan Rodgers keen to retain services of central defender
• 30-year-old says Anfield club ‘is now in my heart’

Liverpool are to open talks over a new contract for Martin Skrtel as the defender enters the final 18 months of his deal.

Skrtel has enjoyed an impressive renaissance under Brendan Rodgers after having lost his place and been close to leaving during the manager’s first season. The 30-year-old is now regarded as Liverpool’s first-choice central defender, with the £20m summer signing Dejan Lovren yet to establish himself.

Liverpool have been criticised over their handling of talks with Steven Gerrard, who said he would have signed an extension to his contract had such a deal been available last summer rather than in November. They have therefore moved quicker on deals for other players. Raheem Sterling is close to signing a new contract, and negotiations have also started about an extension for Jordan Henderson.

Skrtel, a former Zenit St Petersburg defender, marked his seven-year anniversary as a Liverpool player at the weekend and wrote on his website: “It is a great honour for me to play seven years for Liverpool. We’ve had some great moments together and I am really happy I am part of this all. Liverpool are now in my heart.”

Liverpool have not received any inquiries for Mario Balotelli, despite reports of several European clubs being interested in the Italian forward. The Juventus coach, Massimiliano Allegri, who worked with Balotelli at Milan, was said to be keen on a reunion with a striker who has struggled at Anfield since his £16m summer move from the San Siro.

Allegri told the Italian broadcaster RAI on Monday: “I think this is a made-up story. Balotelli has done very well with me but he belongs to Liverpool and he is not a player that can arrive at Juventus.”

The player’s agent, Mino Raiola, also claimed the 24-year-old was still adjusting to life at Liverpool and would not be leaving Merseyside this month. “Mario has been out for almost 10 weeks with an injury and you cannot judge him until he is 100% fit,” Raiola said. “It’s not easy to go abroad and adapt quickly to a new team. Mario has gone to the best league in the world. Now he is not doing well at Liverpool for different reasons, but Mario is calm and he is working to return to be in top condition. I do not regret this transfer and Mario’s departure from Milan.”

One player who has left Liverpool is Oussama Assaidi, in a £4.7m move to Al-Ahli of Dubai. The 26-year-old had his season-long loan deal with Stoke City terminated this month. The Morocco international has made only six starts under Rodgers since signing for £2.4m from Heerenveen in 2012.

The Spanish forward Suso, who has made 21 appearances for Liverpool since joining the club in 2010, has undergone a medical with Milan before a proposed free transfer. He is out of contract in the summer and is expected to sign a four-year deal with Milan starting from 1 July.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/12/liverpool-martin-skrtel-contract?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[G]

[Buzzo]

Skrtel hasn't got any better, all that has happened is Lovren coming in has made him look like Beckenbaur.

[McDermotX]

Good......I'm all for getting better than we have, but with Kolo out the door, and seeing what Rodgers thinks 20m CBs are, I'd rather hold on for something we know,
Chances are, we're going to need to be buying a CB in the summer. Dont think I'd like too see a compete overhaul considering what we've seen. We know what Skrtel offers and we'll need strength on the pitch and the bench going forward.

[Shaggy]

I wouldn't mind him staying as say 3rd choice.

[Buzzo]

Yeah - given the state of our defence I don't mind him staying either - but he's a liability long term.

[Keyser Soze]

Typical LFC that, one good season and we offer the player a longer contract.
I'm no fan of the 50p head, hopefully we still ship him out.

[Chris]

Dont worry about him LFC, whether people rate him or not he's 30 with 18 months left its no issue. 21 year old Jon Flanagan with 6 months left on his contract however is quite an issue.

[McDermotX]

Dont worry about him LFC, whether people rate him or not he's 30 with 18 months left its no issue. 21 year old Jon Flanagan with 6 months left on his contract however is quite an issue.

Fair enough point I suppose...
There was some talk earlier in the summer, from Flanagan himself I think, that he was close to agreeing a new deal, but obviously that was never signed if that 6 months is true.
Injury obviously knocked any immediate concern on the head, so maybe Rodgers believes he needs to come back and prove his fitness ? He's unlikely to reject any fair offer on the table I'd suspect and would want to stay and fight for a place.
Probably nothing to get concerned about until he comes back.....no idea really.

[danperkins]

Good......I'm all for getting better than we have, but with Kolo out the door, and seeing what Rodgers thinks 20m CBs are, I'd rather hold on for something we know,
Chances are, we're going to need to be buying a CB in the summer. Dont think I'd like too see a compete overhaul considering what we've seen. We know what Skrtel offers and we'll need strength on the pitch and the bench going forward.

[The Birdman]

I wouldn't mind him staying as say 33rd choice.

Fixed that for you mate

[The Birdman]

Dont worry about him LFC, whether people rate him or not he's 30 with 18 months left its no issue. 21 year old Jon Flanagan with 6 months left on his contract however is quite an issue.

Not when Flanagan and his agent are asking for unrealistic money.
What people tend to forget that Flanno has only played 30 odd games over the course of his last 4 year deal (a ridiculously lucrative one given to him by Kenny)
20 odd of those games came during our purple patch last season, he's been injured for the past 6 months.
Basically Flanno has played well for maybe 5 months in the last 4.5/5 years.

He needs to sign what's under his nose and buckle down, not try and play the last scouser at the club card for more money.

[Tee]

I would be happy to keep him. He is experienced and a strong presence on the pitch, something we will be lacking next season when Gerrard leaves (plus Kolo, possibly Sakho as well). Not the greatest CB but he is certainly not THAT bad. Second or third choice CB for sure.

[Rich]

If signing a new contract means we can then sell him for more cash then great. Otherwise no new contract please.