Martin Skrtel attributes the Reds' flying start at the outset of the 2013-14 campaign to a settled atmosphere within the Liverpool squad and the coaching staff. please log in to view this image Brendan Rodgers is the fourth manager the Slovakian has played under during his near six years at Anfield, with the boss navigating his second season at the helm. With the Northern Irishman's summer signings also adapting quickly to their new environment in his opinion, the centre-back was in a positive humour after finding the net in a 4-0 victory over Fulham. He told Liverpoolfc.com: "Of course, it's always nice to score goals. But the most important thing was to get three points. We got them and we're happy with that. "It's very important to get a good start to the season and we want to carry on this way. The new players we signed in the summer have settled into the team well. "We are in the second year with the manager and the same group of players for two years - we can see it is working, and I hope it is going to work in the future as well." After Fernando Amorebieta had diverted a Steven Gerrard set-piece into his own net, Skrtel slammed a header from another delivery by the captain past the static away defence. The 28-year-old's effort provided the platform for Luis Suarez's double to add gloss to a satisfying triumph, particularly with a first clean sheet for Rodgers' side since September 1. "It's always nice for the defenders to get a clean sheet, because it has been a few games since we did," said Skrtel. "We said after the first half it was very important to try to get a clean sheet. We got it and I'm happy about that as well. "It was a great performance from every single player in the game, attacking or defending. Those types of games are very difficult for your focus and concentration, because maybe as a defender you don't have too much work to do but you have to be focused. "There are always dangerous players - Berbatov, Kasami or Ruiz. It wasn't easy, but we absolutely dominated the game and scored four nice goals. We fully deserved three points." After electing for a 3-5-2 formation for the previous six matches, Rodgers reverted to a 4-3-3 system for Saturday's clash. From an individual point of view, Skrtel believes the change has little impact on his task at hand; however, the No.37 explained why it is a beneficial alternative for Liverpool moving forward. He added: "It's not a massive difference if you play two or three centre-backs. You have to do the same as a centre-back - try to not let the striker score. It's not a big difference. "In the last few games we played with three centre-backs and it was working well. And it was the same today. It's good for the team if we can switch from one system to another." http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/148855-skrtel-encouraged-by-settled-reds - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It's well known that I'm not his biggest fan but it must be said, he's been playing well this season. I think being the middle guy in a three is perfect for him and would probably be my pick in that system too, but I have major doubts about his ability in a two, especially when not alongside a talker. He wasn't really tested yesterday IMO but he did get Player Of The Season in 2001-12 so he's obviously got something in his locker.
Absolute legend. Classy defender who doesn't resort to rugby tactics inside the box, in the form of his life and has a 10 inch schlong
Would still go Toure/Agger as a preferred central partnership. Kept clean sheets at start of season and both compliment each other. Toure the organiser and one good in the air (a better version of Skrtel) and Agger the more ball playing CB. It's nice to think that we do have 4 CB's that are of Prem quality though so an injury to one isn't a massive problem like it was last year. Still think Skrtel will go in winter/summer if Ilori can step up
Would prefer Agger/Skrtel as the CB partnership. Also Ilori hasn't even played for the first team yet what makes you think he's gonna replace Skrtel??
anyone PLAYING.... is always happy aren't they? I remain unconvinced by his abilty against decent opposition and for me leaving aside him eing alongside agger and reina in teams that finsihed 7th all the time... drogba schooled him any time they met. he's just not a top 4 player is he? I mean ok utd have evans who's not top 4 either....
Drogba "schooled" a lot of players. To claim that sole incident means a player isn't good enough is a bit silly. Torres used to regularly make Vidic look silly but he was regarded as one of the best CB's in the league and won titles to boot. However, I do agree about Skrtel not being good enough (and you all thought I was defending Skrtel then )
I don't think I said he's going to replace Skrtel? I said I think Skrtel will go (even though he's been playing regularly, to me BR doesn't fancy him in a 2 man defence I don't think) plus he's one of the last era of players of which a lot seem to be going. IF Ilori can step up then it will leave us with Agger/Sakho/Toure as a main 3 with Ilori/Kelly/Wisdom as the young back ups.
Skrts = underrated Had to wait for a game early on, has come in and been the best of the centre backs so far. I always thought fans appreciated players who work hard to try and improve their game Skrtel: played 9 Toure: played 9 (1 sub) Passes: 377 vs 379 Passing accuracy: 91.2% vs 83.9% Tackles won: 45 vs 49 Tackles lost: 25 vs 41 Tackles won(%) 64.3% vs 54.4% Headers won: 25 vs 19 Headers lost: 15 vs 25 Headers won(%): 62.5% vs 43.2% Clearances: 82 vs 58 Blocks: 13 vs 4 Interceptions: 18 vs 9 Fouls conceded: 7 vs 6 Not a totally fair comparison obviously as Toure has played full back too but just shows that he obviously gives us something decent. Make the same comparisons with Sakho and again Skrtel has as good if not better stats than him too
But Skrtel has played most of his games in a 3 man CB. His passing has been sidewards to Toure or Sakho who have bene the ones to play more adventurous forward passes. Headers won - would need ot look at who those headers were against. Toure played against Benteke and Stoke where winning headers would be much harder than against Arsenal & Fulham. Clearences - has skrtel made more clearences because he's not composed enough to pass the ball out instead? Maybe Toure could have had more but has instead decided to bring the ball down and pass to a man instead of just whacking it long? Not saying he hasn't played well, but very hard to judge stats like that.
Not saying Skrtels better than Toure I think you missed my point. His stats stack up pretty well with both Toure and Sakho (who everyone has been creaming over) and are better than Aggers...so far. In Skrtels defence...no pun intended...he's much more used to playing 4 at the back so the fact he's adapted to play well in a 3/5 is surely another plus point not (yet another) stick to beat him with. His stats might be even better had we played a back 4
I don't disagree that when he's played he's been a lot better this season than last. Maybe he needed a year or so to get used to the new style and now he's found some. I've always said I think it's great we have 4 CB's that can genuinely be considered 1st team players. It's been a while since we've had real competition for places.
That's exactly it. If Skrtels form drops back to how he was at points last season then yes he should be dropped. While he's playing well he should stay in. That's the whole point of how a good squad works. When a player comes in and takes his chance then he earns the right to stay in the team. We've lacked depth at the back for years mate and if Rodgers can keep them all hungry then it's going to make a massive difference to us going forward. We really could do with a decent cup run after xmas just to get them all a bit more game time (the disadvantage of no European footy).
Although I agree with players in form should stay in form and wouldn't want to mess around with swapping the back 4 every games I do think "horses for courses" comes into it a bit. Lukaku is Everton's main threat so you'd need someone big and strong to deal with him. Skrtel should be a good match up but he's struggled against that type (noticeably Drogba, although many have) so Id fancy Toure ahead of him in that match up. Agree about Europa. Lots of people slag it off but I've always said it provides 3 things. Experience of European football and getting used to playing twice a week. Opportunity for younger players if that's how you want to use it And keep your European co-efficient up. As well as the obvious chance to win something.
