Liverpool FC Forum

[GYBS]

Rafa dismisses Skrtel rumours
By James Carroll - 20/11/2008 00:58
Rafa Benitez today moved to dismiss speculation that Martin Skrtel is seeking a move back to Russia.


Reports in the Russian press claimed that the commanding centre-back, who is currently out of action until the Festive period with a knee ligament injury, wanted to move back for former club Zenit St Petersburg.

However, Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "These sort of stories always tend to come out during an international week.

"I was talking with Martin at Melwood yesterday and it was clear that he is very happy and just wants to get back playing.

"He is working very hard to get himself fit again and he is very settled at Liverpool - both in the city and at the club."

Earlier this week, Skrtel spoke of his desire to return to action as soon as possible.

"I don't know exactly the date but the predictions were for before Christmas and I am hoping it is as soon as possible," he said.

"It has been a long time. I can't wait to start kicking a ball again and resume full training

[Sabre]

Bah, everytime a Spanish journo interviews Torres or a Spaniard they seek they say something like "There's nothing like Spain". Every country has it's own chauvinism.

The inevitable line about English rain will appear aswell, and from that, English journos have easy targets to make articles when they have nothing negative to write about. I don't trust these articles.

[RedBen]

SKRTEL: I'M VERY HAPPY AT ANFIELD
Steve Hunter 20 November 2008
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has rubbished reports claiming he is unsettled at Anfield.


The Reds number 37 moved to reassure Liverpool supporters after quotes from a former Zenit St Petersberg teammate wrongly claimed he wanted to return to the Russian club.

"I am very happy here at Anfield," Skrtel told Liverpoolfc.tv today.

"It was always my dream to play here in England and I'm with one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"I spoke to my friend in Russia and we talked about Zenit. I have great friends there but I never said I am not happy here, and I never said I didn't like the city.

"I didn't say the city is boring. That's just not true and I'd like to repeat I am very happy here.

"This is a special club and a city with a lot of history. I have been made to feel very welcome here at Liverpool.

"I enjoy life in Liverpool. I have been a few times to Jamie Carragher's Cafe Sports England restaurant and a few other places as well."

Skrtel also spoke of his bond with the Liverpool supporters who have taken the Slovakian international to their hearts.

"The Liverpool fans are one of the best in the world," he said.

"When I'm out in the city they always come up to me to shake my hand and wish me all the best in my recovery.

"I just want to get back as quickly as possible to help the team win trophies and repay the supporters faith in me."

[redhayesy]

the sooner he"s fit again the better for me. although agger has been playing well & imho is a very capable cb, my first choice to partner carra is skrtel! i"m gutted he was injured at the time he had produced his best form since joining us, i only hope that when he is fit again he can re-capture his form again a.s.a.p
he will be vital for us in the new year, as strength in depth is key & skrtel can & will play a major part in that i"m sure.

[JamCar05]

the sooner he"s fit again the better for me. although agger has been playing well & imho is a very capable cb, my first choice to partner carra is skrtel! i"m gutted he was injured at the time he had produced his best form since joining us, i only hope that when he is fit again he can re-capture his form again a.s.a.p
he will be vital for us in the new year, as strength in depth is key & skrtel can & will play a major part in that i"m sure.

Do you think he'll automatically dislodge Agger from the team once back to full fitness? Just curious, as I suspect he'll have to wait for his chance (if Agger doesn't mess up between now and then), just as Agger had to wait patiently for his chance after getting back from injury (though he was out for much longer of course).

[Lando_Griffin]

Taking last games into consideration, Skrtel will walk back into the starting line-up.

[redhayesy]

the sooner he"s fit again the better for me. although agger has been playing well & imho is a very capable cb, my first choice to partner carra is skrtel! i"m gutted he was injured at the time he had produced his best form since joining us, i only hope that when he is fit again he can re-capture his form again a.s.a.p
he will be vital for us in the new year, as strength in depth is key & skrtel can & will play a major part in that i"m sure.

Do you think he'll automatically dislodge Agger from the team once back to full fitness? Just curious, as I suspect he'll have to wait for his chance (if Agger doesn't mess up between now and then), just as Agger had to wait patiently for his chance after getting back from injury (though he was out for much longer of course).

yes mate i think he will,as i say the reason being if he re-gains full fitness before january he will provide the strengh in depth that we will defiently need for the run in, especially if we are still strong title contenders which i have confidence we will be! skrtel is imho
first choice to partner carra, although agger is playing well at the moment & i do rate him i think with cl to contend with as well we will need skrtel back in contention to ensure our defence stays solid. i also hope sammi stays fit for us as his experience could also prove vital for us.

[JamCar05]

the sooner he"s fit again the better for me. although agger has been playing well & imho is a very capable cb, my first choice to partner carra is skrtel! i"m gutted he was injured at the time he had produced his best form since joining us, i only hope that when he is fit again he can re-capture his form again a.s.a.p
he will be vital for us in the new year, as strength in depth is key & skrtel can & will play a major part in that i"m sure.

Do you think he'll automatically dislodge Agger from the team once back to full fitness? Just curious, as I suspect he'll have to wait for his chance (if Agger doesn't mess up between now and then), just as Agger had to wait patiently for his chance after getting back from injury (though he was out for much longer of course).

yes mate i think he will,as i say the reason being if he re-gains full fitness before january he will provide the strengh in depth that we will defiently need for the run in, especially if we are still strong title contenders which i have confidence we will be! skrtel is imho
first choice to partner carra, although agger is playing well at the moment & i do rate him i think with cl to contend with as well we will need skrtel back in contention to ensure our defence stays solid. i also hope sammi stays fit for us as his experience could also prove vital for us.

Thanks for your answer mate, and I agree we need Skrtel back and in contention for the long season which still lies ahead. He really was a rock this season up until his injury. Hopefully the prognosis is right and he'll be back around christmas. Regarding Agger I don't think he has fared too bad in Skrtel's absence (aside his major blunder against Wigan), but IMO he hasn't been at his very best either. Will certainly be interesting what Rafa does once Skrtel returns.

[Reg]

Martin Skrtel returns to full training - Liverpool FC latest - Dec 17 2008

The Slovakian international has spent the last two months on the sidelines after suffering a knee ligament injury in the Reds’ 3-2 win at Man City.

Skrtel had been in outstanding form alongside Jamie Carragher at the heart of Liverpool’s defence before injury struck. In his absence, Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia have taken it in turns to fill in alongside Carragher with neither able to hold down a regular starting place.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is adamant that he needs four top class centre backs to give him the competition for places within his squad that he is looking for.

Though Skrtel is able to join in with training with the rest of the squad he is unlikely to be considered for the trip to Arsenal at the weekend, particularly as he is still to get any competitive football under his belt.

A more likely date for his possible return is Boxing Day when Liverpool face Bolton at Anfield.

Since joining Liverpool from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, Skrtel has become a cult figure with fans thanks to his uncompromising physical style.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Arbeloa believes Liverpool have what it takes to put their recent troubles at home behind them and go to Arsenal and get a good result.

The Spanish right back is well aware of just how difficult it will be to get a win at the Emirates but insists the Reds have nothing to fear having beaten fellow big four members Manchester United and Chelsea this season.

“We have a difficult game against Arsenal but we believe in ourselves.We can get a good result,” he said.

“We have beaten Manchester United, Chelsea and now we want to beat Arsenal.

“We have a really good team and I don't think they are playing their best football at the moment, so we have a good opportunity to show what we can do.”

[redhayesy]

thanks for that reg, that's fecking great news i can't wait for skrtel to return, although i think sammi has played well recently, with the CL etc coming up we need strength in depth throughout the squad, skrtel will be vital for the run-in imho.

[tubby]

Great news. Cant wait to have him back although I hope he will have to earn his place rather than just dump Agger on the sidelines again.

[HacksawJimDuggin]

Very happy to hear Skrtel is back fit and ready to go. We've leaked a few recently and he may be the answer to tightening things up at the back.

If all fit I'd have a 3-5-2 formation with Carra, Skrtel and Agger all playing

[Reg]

When Agger was out Skrtel grow in stature immensely, made that position his and formed a great partnership with Carra. Now Skrtel's injured Agger has lost his place to Sami. Somethings not right eh?

Agger should have been fired up, reduced Big Mart to understudy and out of the team for 6 months and put Sami into retirement. Instead the Terminator is back in training, Sami's got his old place back and Agger is subject of rumours. It doesnt add up does it?

Haysey, my pleasure mate.

[aCe']

Very happy to hear Skrtel is back fit and ready to go. We've leaked a few recently and he may be the answer to tightening things up at the back.

If all fit I'd have a 3-5-2 formation with Carra, Skrtel and Agger all playing

3-5-2 doesnt work.. thats why no big clubs use it atm..

[roberto green]

the sooner he"s fit again the better for me. although agger has been playing well & imho is a very capable cb, my first choice to partner carra is skrtel! i"m gutted he was injured at the time he had produced his best form since joining us, i only hope that when he is fit again he can re-capture his form again a.s.a.p
he will be vital for us in the new year, as strength in depth is key & skrtel can & will play a major part in that i"m sure.

Do you think he'll automatically dislodge Agger from the team once back to full fitness? Just curious, as I suspect he'll have to wait for his chance (if Agger doesn't mess up between now and then), just as Agger had to wait patiently for his chance after getting back from injury (though he was out for much longer of course).

I think once Skrtel is back that will be the end for Agger especially with the rumours that are out there,a shame, but although Agger has more style about him that doesn't necessary mean he is a better defender than him