Martin Skrtel

[Scratch]

Disagree. Didn't look a kick out at all to me. Just a tangle of legs. Skrtel's legs were in the air - they had to come down.

I think it looks more like they kicked out than came down to me, but each to there own and all that.

You appear to have somewhat of a Jonjo Shelvey fetish going on here Scratch. Read it all back to yourself

Yeah...oops. Meh, they're both bald, it's easy to confuse them.

[danperkins]

Absolutely brilliant.. The end.

[Fosterbloke]

Absolutely brilliant.. The end.

Didn't put a foot wrong and even defended without holding on to someone!

Excellent performance and definitely deserves a mention for man of the match.

[danperkins]

Didn't put a foot wrong and even defended without holding on to someone!

Excellent performance and definitely deserves a mention for man of the match.

hopefully people will get off his back... Guy has been immense for us. Making sure I bump this thread after every great performance he has as a lot of people are avoiding it. He should be near top 3 players for us this season I reckon.

[Chris]

Nearly cost us a goal with the comedy defending on Lallana's post effort. Other than that it was pretty decent.

[RichC]

He had that one dodgy moment today but the rest of the match he was utterly superb.

[McDermotX]

Took charge of almost every situation tonight which made him the standout defender on the pitch.
Very assured.

[Leyton388]

Was boss tonight. As was agger.

[RedAndWhite]

Took charge of almost every situation tonight which made him the standout defender on the pitch.
Very assured.

How much of that was down to trusting Agger. They work well together, and it allows both to play on their preferred side.

[McDermotX]

How much of that was down to trusting Agger. They work well together, and it allows both to play on their preferred side.

It's a huge part alright.......with all our defensive changes etc, it's important not to forget how many games the two have played as partners down the years.
Nothing against Kolo, as he's performed as expected for the most part, but he wouldn't have been a defender I would have been interested in even in his pomp let alone winding down his career, which I remember even mentioning when we were close to signing him. That said we've needed backup considering how our injuries have popped up at the back this season.
Sakho looks promising going forward, but with only a dozen games under his belt, it's still a signing that will hopefully establish itself, rather than an automatic certainty.

[meffin]

Skrtel: Standing on the shoulders of Luis

He's been the focus of some of Liverpool's most iconic photographs this season, but Martin Skrtel insists the celebrations that have captivated fans are completely unchoreographed.

The centre-back was first to reach Luis Suarez on Sunday after he'd fired the Reds' third in the 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

He was also snapped being hoisted onto the Uruguayan's shoulders during January's Merseyside derby demolition of Everton at Anfield following a Daniel Sturridge strike.

Such images have been savoured by supporters, who've shared them across social networks and crafted background images to commemorate yet another magical moment in a campaign that just keeps on giving.



"Obviously it was nothing planned before," Skrtel smiles as he offers an explanation when quizzed by Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood about being perched on the shoulders of Suarez twice in the last few weeks.

"But when we scored in the game against Everton - and now against United - you go mad after those goals, so it was something I'd done before and now again. I'm glad the fans liked it!

"It says everything [about the team spirit]. Everyone can see when we celebrate that everyone - every single player - is together. We're happy scoring goals and winning games.

"Everyone can see the spirit in the team and the changing room is perfect now."

As well as those aforementioned images of joy against United and Everton, Skrtel has often been one of the first on the scene to revel in the ecstasy of scoring goals this season - while footage of his two-goal salvo in the 5-1 win over Arsenal will live long in the memory.

But which has been his favourite celebration so far?

"I think the Everton one," he considered. "I think it was [taken] after the third goal we scored that night, and it was special.

"I just jumped on the lads, but I didn't expect them to stand up for 10 seconds! It was special, the best one so far."

Sunday's win at Old Trafford was the latest in a string of high-scoring victories for Liverpool this term against top-four rivals, with Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur having also been put to the sword by hefty margins.

However, Skrtel is unable select which one has been his most enjoyable. Spoilt for choice, some might say.

"I could pick a few games - we've mentioned the Everton game, the game against United, obviously the game against Arsenal when I scored two goals...all of them were great victories," said the Slovakian.

"But every victory is important for us because we are fighting for our targets and every single point is very important for us. We're enjoying every single game and every single goal."

The triumph at Old Trafford was Liverpool's first on that ground since 2009, when they ran out 4-1 successors.

The achievements of that afternoon have long since been cherished by Reds fans, but Skrtel feels Sunday's success could potentially have been an even finer accomplishment.

He said: "In 2009 when we beat them 4-1, it was a great week for us because three days before we'd beaten Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield. It was a great few days for us.

"Comparing the victory then with this one, I feel this one was a little bit better because we dominated more of the game and could have scored even more goals, so I'd probably regard this a little bit higher."



On a personal level, Skrtel has had four goals to cheer so far this season.

He looked intent on adding another one to that tally on Sunday when a marauding burst from the back in the second half had the away fans on their feet.

Unfortunately, the move broke down at the last, resulting in Skrtel being awarded a yellow card for a foul on the edge of the United box.

The fact, however, a Liverpool centre-back was on the edge of the home team's penalty area in open play at Old Trafford said much for their approach to the contest.

"Obviously the first thing for a defender is defending and protecting the goal," said Skrtel. "When you have a chance to go forward and bring the ball out, then obviously you go.

"It was the same in that moment. I got the ball around our box and saw a lot of space in front of me, so I just tried to bring the ball out. Then I passed to Luis [Suarez], but, unfortunately, we lost the ball - and I just gave away a foul.

"I got a yellow card and I asked the ref why because it was my first foul in the game and he booked me straight after. But that is part of the game - the booking was only my third yellow card of the season, so it's not too bad."

Skrtel's powerful sorties deep into opposing territories have been noted on several occasions this season - a facet of his game he's taking pleasure in.

"It is something I enjoy because most of the time I am defending, but when I have a chance to go forward I just go and try to do something," considers the No.37.

"This season I've had the chance to go forward a few times, I've scored a few goals and I'm happy about that. I'm enjoying it."

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/159414-skrtel-standing-on-the-shoulders-of-luis

[baitman]

when coming on to the pitch skrtel always bends down to touch the touchline then kisses his finger, and does three little skips...

wtf is that all about.

btw, another good performance against safc.

[McDermotX]

Having a fine season....similar to that a couple year back, when he was one of our POTY.
While never the most gifted, he never gives less than his best and has been a vital part in our run this season what with a new keeper, ever changing FBs and CB changes to beat the band.
Hopefully our defensive frailties will be addressed, but Skrtel remains an important member in the squad.

[SB]

Having a fine season....similar to that a couple year back, when he was one of our POTY.
While never the most gifted, he never gives less than his best and has been a vital part in our run this season what with a new keeper, ever changing FBs and CB changes to beat the band.
Hopefully our defensive frailties will be addressed, but Skrtel remains an important member in the squad.

Couldn't agree more.

[Fosterbloke]

He comes across as a bit of a Reina character, revelling in our joy and sharing the celebration.