Martin Skrtel: I must improve to regain my place in the Liverpool FC side

[Squiggles]

Martin Skrtel: I must improve to regain my place in the Liverpool FC side

by Philip Kirkbride,
The Liverpool Post
Jun 6 2013

MARTIN SKRTEL admits he needs to quickly improve in order to force his way back into the starting line-up at Liverpool.

The Slovakian international endured a frustrating season at Anfield last season where he has started just one Premier League game after the defeat to Manchester United in January.

Manager Brendan Rodgers insists he has no intention of selling the 28-year-old but Skrtel admitted recently that he would consider any offers that came his way this summer.

With Kolo Toure to sign for the club on July 1 and with the club targeting further defensive reinforcements, the former Zenit St Petersburg man could find his chances further reduced next season.

Skrtel, though, has won praise from Rodgers for his continued professionalism and work ethic throughout the time he has found himself relegated to the bench.

And the clubs’s player of the season for 2011-12 says he is ready to knuckle down and return to the standards which made him a regular starter at Liverpool.

“It wasn’t my best season and I know I made a few mistakes,” Skrtel admitted.

“It could’ve been better and I will do my best to improve and be better in the future.

“I can always learn something new. I will try to improve my positional play and my game with the ball. Every single day I can improve something and that is what I will try to do.”

Skrtel lost his place to Jamie Carragher in the New Year but has thanked the 34-year-old for helping him to develop his career at Liverpool.

“I have to say he helped me a lot in my career at Liverpool,” he said.

“It was of benefit for me to train with players like him and Sami Hyypia - it was great for me.

“It was his decision to retire and we have to accept it and just wish him luck in his next career.”

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk...lace-in-the-liverpool-fc-side-99623-33433352/

It looks like he's realised no other club is likely to match his wage. Still, I'm happy to see him stay. Coates is the CB we need to get rid of.

 

[Squiggles]

Andy Hunter
Monday 10 June 2013

Martin Skrtel's agent, meanwhile, has claimed he will meet Liverpool officials this week to clarify the defender's future. Skrtel is open to offers following what the 28-year-old described as the worst season of his Liverpool career last term, when he was publicly criticised by Rodgers and lost his first-team place to Jamie Carragher, and has been linked with a reunion with Rafael Benítez at Napoli.

The Slovakia international's agent, Karol Csonto, said: "There has been no contact between the two clubs. Martin has a contract with Liverpool and it is important to honour that. Obviously Napoli know Martin well, but there cannot be any contact between us and them if they do not first reach an agreement with Liverpool.

"Between Martin Skrtel and Rafa Benítez is a professional relationship that has gone on from the years they spent together at Liverpool. [Napoli midfielder] Marek Hamsik and Skrtel are very good friends and they met last week. The midfielder requested information from Martin about Benítez, while Skrtel has asked questions about Napoli. But I think that if Napoli want to take Skrtel, they should first talk to Liverpool. I will be in England next week to talk with Liverpool and define Martin's future."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jun/10/iago-aspas-liverpool-medical-celta-vigo?

 

[King Binny]

It is claimed in Daily Mail's report that his wage is £100k/week.

 

[Dreambeliever]

He's gone surely.