Martin Skrtel

[The Birdman]

Skrtel gets protected in the 3 and as the central one he doesn't have the responsibility of starting attacks from the back, thankfully Can and Sakho are miles better technically and much of our attacking improvement comes from their distribution.

Huge credit should go to Rodgers for finding a system that doesn't expose him (1v1 in wide areas) but to say he's been immense or a beast or fantastic is just plain bonkers.

He's a bang average centre back who has the 2nd highest % of losses to games for lfc in the PL era (behind Redknapp)
That sample size over the years he's been here cannot be wrong.

[Buzzo]

I think this is the best he has ever played for us these last couple of months.

[Rich]

Loved his yellow card clatter into Costa

[danperkins]

Martin ****ing Skrtel. We wanted a leader at the back... who would have known it would be Skrtel. Immense

[Buzzo]

Martin ****ing Skrtel. We wanted a leader at the back... who would have known it would be Skrtel. Immense

Steady! Zip it back up

He's definitely improved his level and concentration though.

[DannyMan2006]

I think this is the best he has ever played for us these last couple of months.

This. Looks better in a three. Far better.

[RedReet]

I think this is the best he has ever played for us these last couple of months.

He's been very good recently and excellent last night, but 2011 was definitely his best period for us when Kenny was in charge.

[danperkins]

Steady! Zip it back up

He's definitely improved his level and concentration though.

He's been immense and deserves huge credit. That crackoff smiley certainly changes a post

But sure look when he makes a mistake (which he will, like every CB does) the usual suspects that have been non existent in this thread for a while now... will be back absolutely slating him

P.S. Well apart from Birdman, who just ****ing hates him & really just doesn't care how well he's playing

[Muddled]

He got lucky with the foul on Costa in the box; It was definitely a penalty.

[Exiled_red]

He got lucky with the foul on Costa in the box; It was definitely a penalty.

Yeah but Costa shouldn't have been on the pitch

[Zapater]

He got lucky with the foul on Costa in the box; It was definitely a penalty.

Really? I thought it was one of those that are sometimes given and sometimes not. Clearly Costa needed no assistance going down. Skrtel was naive and shouldn't have put the referee in the position though.

He's definitely far from my favourite player, but on his day he is a valuable player for us, I still find him too up and down and lacking in certain areas, but as things stand he should be starting every week. The 3 compensates for a lot of his weaknesses (something which isn't unique to any of our current defenders).

[danperkins]

He got lucky with the foul on Costa in the box; It was definitely a penalty.

You think so? I suppose he shouldn't have committed into the tackle, but Costa was going down down before hand. Thought it was a good decision from Oliver.

He's definitely far from my favourite player, but on his day he is a valuable player for us, I still find him too up and down and lacking in certain areas, but as things stand he should be starting every week. The 3 compensates for a lot of his weaknesses (something which isn't unique to any of our current defenders).

If anything the 3 should expose weaknesses. That back 3 of Can-Skrtel-Sakho should not change.

[Norbs]

Steady! Zip it back up

[Muddled]

Yeah but Costa shouldn't have been on the pitch

You're not wrong.

Really? I thought it was one of those that are sometimes given and sometimes not. Clearly Costa needed no assistance going down. Skrtel was naive and shouldn't have put the referee in the position though.

You think so? I suppose he shouldn't have committed into the tackle, but Costa was going down down before hand. Thought it was a good decision from Oliver.

Skrtel's committed to the challenge and got nowhere near the ball. He makes contact with Costa and we've got lucky as the latter has form. If Costa hadn't been as theatrical and the direction of the ball took a more obvious diversion*, I think a lot of referees would have pointed to the spot. If that had been at the other end of the pitch, there would be uproar.

* I can't think of a more appropriate word.

Saying that, I think he had a good game. I think we lost our way a bit when Sakho went off; I can't be sure if that was due to a lack of balance (three right sided defenders) or if we missed Sakho's organisation or him being an outlet, but in the rough and tumble type of game we had yesterday, Srktel looks the part. I also think Can is proving to be good for Skrtel and Can's forward movement - combined with Sakho - is almost forcing Skrtel forward ... slowly.

[ntto]

don't believe it was a pen at all. Given where the contact was and the direction Costa was moving, any touch that disrupted his path would have forced him away from Skrtel - his dive was across the front of Skrtel in the direction of the contact