Skrtel: I thought about quitting Anfield

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...ws/liverpool-fc-martin-skrtel-thought-6697927

Martin Skrtel admits he thought about walking away from Liverpool FC last summer.

Having slipped down the pecking order under Brendan Rodgers, the Slovakian centre-back weighed up his options.

There was no shortage of takers with Napoli and his former club Zenit St Petersburg among his suitors.

Yet Skrtel couldn’t bring himself to cut his ties with Anfield.

He opted to stay and fight for his place.He took on board the manager’s observations about where he needed to improve and doubled his efforts to recapture the form which helped him land the Reds’ Player of the Year award in 2012.

Six months on the 29-year-old – buoyed by his quickfire in Saturday’s 5-1 mauling of Arsenal – knows he made the right decision ahead of Wednesday night’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Now one of the first names on Rodgers’ teamsheet, Skrtel has been the defensive rock in Liverpool’s pursuit of Champions League qualification.

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about leaving,” Skrtel told the ECHO.

“It wasn’t easy for me after last season. I was on the bench in the second part of the season and that was something new for me.

“But it is not easy to leave a club like Liverpool because they are still one of the best clubs in the world. After six years here it was not easy to say ‘okay, I’m leaving’.

“Before this season started I just said to myself ‘I will fight and work very hard to try to show people I am able to play and start the games’.

“I tried to work very hard in training every day and when I got a chance to play I tried to do my best to help the team.

“After games like Saturday’s I am just so glad and so happy that I stayed.

“Liverpool are a massive club and I just wanted to prove to people I am able to play for this club.”

Skrtel, who has made 231 appearances for the Reds since his £6.5million switch from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2008, admits there was a period of adjustment as he came to terms with Rodgers’ way of working.

He paid the price for his errors when he was dropped last January and only started two Premier League games between then and May.

But over the course of this season he has grown in stature and Rodgers has described him as “a class act”.

“When the manager came in he tried to change things and our style we play,” Skrtel said.

“It was something new for all of us. As a defender the main thing is always to defend and try to protect your goal but I have also had to make changes.

“I knew the last season wasn’t the best for me. I made a few mistakes and cost us some points but this season I think it is much better.

“Things are working well at the moment. I want to stay in the team and carry on in this way until the end of the season.”

Skrtel’s transformation was epitomised by the mauling of the Gunners. He scored twice inside 10 minutes – his second a stunning header from Steven Gerrard’s corner which arrowed perfectly into the top corner.

The Slovakia skipper has been part of some momentous days during his Anfield career but he hadn’t witnessed anything quite like Saturday.

“I’ve never played in a game when the opening 20 minutes was like that,” he said.

“To be winning 4-0 so early against such a good team was amazing.

“We spoke before the game about needing to start well, to try to press them and score an early goal. It worked well.

“It was a terrific afternoon for every single person working for Liverpool FC. When you beat a team like Arsenal 5-1 it’s something special.

“It was a great win victory and a massive three points for us. Everybody in the team worked really hard for it.

“Our record against the big teams at home so far this season has been perfect. That is different compared to previous years and we need to keep it going.”

Such an emphatic victory may have sparked talk of a title challenge but Skrtel insists Rodgers’ squad are looking no further ahead than the clash with the rock-bottom Cottagers.

Rene Meulensteen’s side will go into the game on a high following their late equaliser at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“It is going to be a tough game,” added Skrtel, who has scored in his last two appearances against Fulham.

“They are fighting against relegation and it’s a different test. We have to show the kind of performance we did on Saturday and try to bring the three points home with us.

“No-one in the dressing room is talking about the title. We still have to play 13 matches and anything can happen so we are just going from game to game.

“We will try to get as many points as we can. We are fighting for the top four and the result against Arsenal showed we are ready for the battle.”

 

“We spoke before the game about needing to start well, to try to press them and score an early goal. It worked well."

yes, yes it did.

play like that in every ruddy game though please and who knows where we could end up.

 

There is no secret that I wanted him out but I'm glad he stayed, he's been our best CB this year

 

I also have to admit I was wrong, I thought he'd move on but he's been brilliant. I still think he may make the odd mistake but who doesn't.

 

#nothard

 

Just need to get Sahko back alongside him, that'll be a massive boost going in to the final stretch of the season.

 

That's true to a certain extent Jenners but what we have to be wary of is not to get frustrated if we don't score in the first 15-20 mins either. There will be plenty of teams who'll shut us out early on no matter how well we start so we also have to learn to keep control of games for longer spells.

As for Skrts I'm glad he stayed....quality season from him so far og's apart

 

Thought he was gone. I was excited about Sakho and Agger.

Now I want Sakho and Skrtel.

 

Very magnanimous Zingy

Genuine question for every one else who wanted Skrtel to leave, if the price was right do you still think we should sell?

 

It would have to be a lot of money at the moment and if the money is right then surely it is a position we could replace. I'd be tempted.

 

£80 mill and I'd consider it

 

You forgot the mandatory +£1 to trigger his release clause.

 

It's sad Skrtel and Agger are getting on now... both been great servants of the club for a long time. We have Sakho now, who will no doubt be replacing Agger. Not sure if Kelly or Flanny will take over a central role- if I understand correctly, both play that position.... not sure if they can fill Skrtel's boots.

 

Its the S's again!

 

Flanagan looks like a natural full back to me.

 

----- Simon ------
??? Skrtel Sakho ????
------ Stevie -----
-- Son of Hender---
Sterling ----- Small Cout (inho means small right?)
-- Studge Suarez ---


We're TWO (not three) players short of an ideal team.

 

Same here

Skrtel and Sakho is a good balance, could work perfectly. Flanno and Enrique either side, and that's a decent back 4.

 

Simon in goal surely Seamus right back, Shaw left back

 

So the bookends of the defense could be.... Sea-saw?

 

Damn! You're right- his name is Simon... editing...