Martin Skrtel

Martin Škrtel (pronounced: Shkrtel; born 15 December 1984 in Handlová) is a Slovak football defender who currently plays for English Premier League club Liverpool F.C. and Slovakia national football team.

Biography

Škrtel was raised in Ráztočno and began playing football at the age of six. Although a competent ice hockey player, he followed his father's career. He is the youngest of three children, with an older brother Dušan and sister Marcela.

Škrtel played as left wing or striker until the age of 16 when he was asked to fill in as a centre-back for the Slovak youth team. He agreed even though he had never played that position before.

Trenčín

Škrtel started his professional career at FK AS Trenčín. He played in 45 games for them between 2001 and 2004.

Zenit Saint Petersburg

Škrtel made his debut for Zenit Saint Petersburg in a Russian Cup match on 31 July 2004. He said that the presence of Slovak and Czech players helped him to adjust to the new team. He played 113 times and scored 5 goals for the club. Valencia, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, and Newcastle United were all reported to be interested in his services, but he ended up signing for Liverpool in the January 2008 transfer window.

Liverpool

Škrtel joined Liverpool on 11 January 2008 on a four-and-a-half year contract for a transfer fee of £6.5 million. On completion of the deal, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez said of Škrtel:

"He is aggressive, quick, is good in the air and I think he's a very good player for the future and also for the present. He is very competitive, but his mentality for me is very good".

He made his league debut against Aston Villa, wearing the number 37 for Liverpool. Benítez has also compared Škrtel to present Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

On 26 January 2008, Škrtel played in Liverpool's 4th Round FA Cup tie against non-league side Havant & Waterlooville, when he nervously gave away a corner which put Liverpool 1–0 behind, and was also involved in a goal mouth scramble which saw Liverpool go 2-1 down after having equalised, before Liverpool eventually won 5-2. But he put in a solid display in the league game against Chelsea, making several good clearances and interceptions, and was voted Man of the Match by the Liverpool supporters on their official website. Liverpool fans have warmed to Škrtel and he is now considered an integral part of Liverpool's defence after turning in several more solid performances at centre half, especially in both UEFA Champions League quarter-final legs against Arsenal.

Škrtel was voted Man of the Match by Liverpool supporters on Liverpoolfc.TV, for his performance in the 1–0 derby win over Everton at Anfield on March 30, 2008, Škrtel's first ever appearance in a Merseyside derby.

Škrtel made a bright start to the 2008-09 campaign, starting in all but one Premier League match and displacing out of favour Daniel Agger to the bench. He put in a number of strong performances with defensive partner Jamie Carragher against many top teams, notably Manchester United, Everton and Olympique Marseille. He scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 2-2 draw with Manchester City on 21 November 2009.

International career

Škrtel played international football for Slovakia youth teams before making his debut in the Slovakia national football team in 2004. As of September 2009, Škrtel has played 37 times for Slovakia, scoring 5 goals.

Honours

* Youth champion of Slovakia: 2001

 

Zenit St Petersburg
* Russian Premier League: 2007

 

Individual
* Slovak Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2008, Runner-up in 2006
* List of 33 best players of Russian Premier League: 3rd place as a Left Central Defender in 2006