Martin Škrtel

Martin Škrtel

Škrtel with Liverpool in 2015
Personal information
Full name Martin Škrtel[1]
Date of birth (1984-12-15) 15 December 1984
Place of birth Handlová, Czechoslovakia
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Liverpool
Number 37
Youth career
Prievidza
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2004 Trenčín 44 (8)
2004–2008 Zenit Saint Petersburg 74 (3)
2008– Liverpool 237 (16)
National team‡
2004– Slovakia 77 (5)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:13, 21 December 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:32, 18 November 2015 (UTC)

Martin Škrtel (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈmartɪn ˈʃkr̩cɛl]; born 15 December 1984) is a Slovak professional footballer who plays as a centre back for English club Liverpool and captains the Slovakia national team.

He previously played for Trenčín and Zenit Saint Petersburg, before joining Liverpool for £6.5 million in January 2008. He has won the Russian Premier League and the Football League Cup, as well as being named Slovak Footballer of the Year four times.

Since Škrtel made his international debut for Slovakia in 2004, he has since earned over 75 caps, and represented the country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Trenčín

Škrtel started his professional career at Trenčín where he played 44 games for them between 2001 and 2004.[3]

Zenit Saint Petersburg

Škrtel with Zenit in 2005

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.[4] He played 113 times[2] and scored five goals for the club, winning the Russian Premier League title in the 2007 season.[5] Valencia, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, and Newcastle United were all reported to be interested in his services,[6] but he ended up signing for Liverpool in the January 2008 transfer window.[7][8][9][10][11]

Liverpool

2007–08 season

Škrtel joined Liverpool on 11 January 2008 on a four-and-a-half-year contract for a transfer fee of £6.5 million.[12] On completion of the deal, then 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 also compared Škrtel to legendary Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.[7][8]

On 26 January 2008, Škrtel played in Liverpool's FA Cup fourth round tie against non-league side Havant & Waterlooville, when he 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. Škrtel was again voted man of the match for his performance in the 1–0 derby win over Everton at Anfield on 30 March 2008, his first ever appearance in a Merseyside derby.

2008–09 season

Škrtel made a bright start to the 2008–09 season, 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 in the Champions League. However, on 5 October 2008, Škrtel suffered a serious knee injury after falling awkwardly when challenging Ched Evans late in a game against Manchester City. Liverpool went on to win the game 3–2 but it was later confirmed the central defender had torn the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and would face up to eight weeks on the sidelines.[13]

On 28 December 2008, Škrtel returned from injury as a late substitute in Liverpool's 5–1 away win at Newcastle United.[14] He was a regular starter for Liverpool during the second half of the season, as the team finished second in the Premier League with 86 points.[15]

2009–10 season

On 21 November 2009, Škrtel scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 2–2 draw with Manchester City.[16] On 26 February 2010, it was confirmed that he had broken his metatarsal in his right foot while playing in the 3–1 UEFA Europa League victory over Unirea Urziceni the previous day.[17] On 18 August 2010, Škrtel signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool, committing his future to Liverpool until 2014.[18]

2010–11 season

During the 2010–11 season, Škrtel played every minute of every Premier League match.[19] On 28 November, in a match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, Škrtel scored both his second career goal for the club and his first Premier League own goal as Liverpool lost 2–1. On his 26th birthday, he captained Liverpool in the Europa League against FC Utrecht. On 2 April 2011, he scored a header against West Bromwich Albion, and played the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 defeat at The Hawthorns.

In May 2011, Škrtel stated that he felt the 2010–11 season had been his best for the club to date.[20]

2011–12 season

Škrtel warming up with Liverpool in 2011

On 27 August 2011, Škrtel scored a headed goal for Liverpool against Bolton Wanderers in his first league appearance of the season from an unfamiliar right-back position.[21] On 18 September, he was sent off in a 4–0 away defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.[22]

On 18 December, Škrtel scored Liverpool's second goal in a league match away at Aston Villa in a 2–0 win. His first goal of 2012 came in a FA Cup fifth round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, opening the scoring within five minutes of kick-off with header from a corner kick.

On 26 February 2012, Škrtel scored against Cardiff City in the 2012 Football League Cup Final. Liverpool won 3–2 on penalties after the match had ended in a 2–2 draw, giving Škrtel his first trophy as a Liverpool player.

At the midway point of the season, Liverpool had the best defensive record in the Premier League.[23] Liverpool left back José Enrique described Škrtel and Daniel Agger as "the best defensive partnership in the Premier League".[24] The Slovakian's increasing standard of performances led to him becoming a fan favourite at Anfield, and earned him the nickname 'The Terminator'.

On 10 April 2012, Škrtel captained Liverpool for the first time in the league, leading his club to a 3–2 win over Blackburn Rovers and playing a major part in the first goal with a long pass to Craig Bellamy, who subsequently squared for Maxi Rodríguez to make the score 1–0. On 5 May, he started for Liverpool in the 2–1 2012 FA Cup Final defeat to Chelsea.

Škrtel was awarded Liverpool Player of the Year Award in May 2012.[25]

2012–13 season

After Kenny Dalglish parted company with Liverpool he was replaced by Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers. On 20 August 2012, Škrtel announced that he would commit his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract.[26]

Škrtel's season got off to a bad start, giving away a penalty in a 3–0 loss to West Bromwich Albion on 18 August 2012. A week later, he scored the club's first goal of the season in a 2–2 draw against Manchester City. Later in the match, his poorly executed backpass to Pepe Reina was intercepted by Carlos Tevez to equalise for Manchester City.[27]

In January 2013, Škrtel was dropped from the Liverpool team after a poor performance in an FA Cup defeat to Oldham Athletic.[28] After starting only four Premier League matches in the second half of the season,[29] Škrtel called 2012–13 "one of the worst seasons in my career and certainly the worst during my time at Liverpool".[30]

2013–14 season

Škrtel training at Anfield with Liverpool in 2013

In August 2013, it was reported that Liverpool had rejected a £10m offer for Škrtel from Rafael Benítez's Napoli.[31]

After missing the first two matches of the season, Škrtel helped Liverpool keep a clean sheet in 1–0 home win against Manchester United on 1 September.[32] On 9 November, he scored his first goal of the season in a 4–0 defeat of Fulham.[33] On 29 December, he gave Liverpool a third-minute lead against Chelsea in a 2–1 loss at Stamford Bridge.[34]

On 8 February 2014, Škrtel scored twice in the first ten minutes against Arsenal, to help Liverpool to a 5–1 win.[35] On 22 March, he scored another brace in a 6–3 win over Cardiff City. On 13 April, he scored Liverpool's second goal in a crucial 3–2 win over Manchester City at Anfield to reach seven goals in the 2013–14 Premier League season.

On 11 May, he scored a record fourth own-goal of the Premier League season in a 2–1 win against Newcastle United.[36] Despite those four own goals, Škrtel scored some decisive goals for Liverpool in some matches. Since his return against Manchester United in the third game of the season, he played every minute for Liverpool in the premier league.

2014–15 season

Škrtel has had several notable clashes with Chelsea's Diego Costa

On 4 November Škrtel captained Liverpool in a Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu as Steven Gerrard and the vice captain Jordan Henderson were both on the bench, Liverpool lost 0–1.[37] After a poor beginning to the season, manager Brendan Rodgers switched to a 3-man defensive line in October – with Škrtel playing a crucial part. His pace, athleticism, and ball playing abilities were key in this formation.[38]

On 21 December, in a league game at Anfield against Arsenal, he received a head wound from an accidental collision with Olivier Giroud; the treatment added nine minutes onto the end of the match, in which Škrtel headed a 97th-minute equaliser for a vital 2–2 draw.[39] In a League Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea on 27 January 2015, Skrtel was stamped on by Chelsea forward Diego Costa. Referee Michael Oliver did not penalise the incident, but Costa was retrospectively banned for three matches by the FA.[40]

On 8 March 2015 in a sixth round FA Cup match against Blackburn Rovers, Skrtel was substituted and then taken to hospital after a collision with Rudy Gestede.[41] Later that month, Škrtel was given a three-match ban for violent conduct by the FA for a stamp on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea. He unsuccessfully appealed, claiming it to be unintentional.[42]

2015–16 season

On 10 July 2015, Škrtel signed a new contract with Liverpool.[43] On 23 September 2015, Škrtel played his 300th match for Liverpool in a League Cup penalty shootout win over Carlisle.[44] Škrtel scored his first goal of the season on 21 November 2015, scoring the fourth goal in a 4-1 win away at Manchester City[45] with a thunderous volley from the edge of the box off of a corner. The goal came exactly 6 years after Škrtel had scored his first goal for Liverpool against the same opponents.[46] On 6 December 2015, Škrtel joined his former defense partner Jamie Carragher in second position on the All Time Premier League Own Goals list by scoring his seventh in a match against Newcastle United. [47] On 20 December, Šrktel suffered a tear in his hamstring and tendon which will keep him on the sideline for 6 weeks.[48]

International career

Škrtel training with Slovakia in 2010

Škrtel played international football for Slovakia youth teams,[3] before making his debut in the senior squad in 2004. Škrtel was selected in Slovakia's squad for the 2010 World Cup, the country's first as an independent nation. He played a crucial part in the side's 3–2 win over reigning champions Italy as he played in every match of their World Cup campaign, which saw Slovakia reach the round-of-16, where they lost to eventual runners up the Netherlands. Škrtel captained Slovakia through Euro 2016 qualifying which saw the Slovaks defeat Spain en route to qualifying for the final tournament in France.

International goals

Scores and results list Slovakia's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 2 September 2006 Tehelné Pole, Bratislava  Cyprus
1–0
6–1
 Euro 2008 qualifier
2. 7 February 2007 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz  Poland
2–0
2–2
 Friendly
3. 24 March 2007 GSP Stadium, Nicosia  Cyprus
2–1
3–1
 Euro 2008 qualifier
4. 13 October 2007 Mestský štadión, Dubnica  San Marino
4–0
7–0
 Euro 2008 qualifier
5. 6 September 2008 Tehelné Pole, Bratislava  Northern Ireland
1–0
2–1
 2010 World Cup qualifier

Career statistics

As of 21 December 2015
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Russia League Cup – Europe Total
2004Zenit Saint Petersburg7020––50140
200518160––40281
200626162––50373
200723160––50341
Total743202––1901135
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2007–08Liverpool140100050200
2008–09210200070300
2009–10191202060291
2010–113821000100492
2011–12342516100454
2012–13252100070332
2013–14367201000397
2014–15331503070481
2015–16171003020221
Total2371619115143031418
Career Total3111939315163042723

Honours

Club

Zenit Saint Petersburg
Liverpool

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Liverpool F.C. Profile". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  3. 1 2 Официальный сайт ФК "Зенит" / Мартин Шкртел (in Russian). FC Zenit Official Website. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2008. Начал заниматься футболом с 6 лет. Воспитанник ФК «Превизда». ... Выступал за юношескую и молодёжную сборные Словакии. ... Карьера игрока. 2001–2004 : ФК «Тренчин», Словакия (45 матчей).
  4. ↑ "The Official Zenit FC Website / First Team / Defenders / Martin Skrtel". FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. Archived from the original on 13 August 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  5. ↑ White, Tom (21 February 2013). "Europa League: Liverpool v Zenit St Petersburg match preview". Independent. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Futbal: Škrtel blízko podpisu s FC Liverpool". sme.sk (in Slovak). 7 January 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
  7. 1 2 Hunter, Steve (11 January 2008). "Skrtel signs until 2012". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Liverpool confirm Skrtel signing". London: BBC Sport. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  9. ↑ "Liverpool set to seal Skrtel deal". London: BBC Sport. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  10. ↑ Barrett, Tony (7 January 2008). "Reds in £6.5m Martin Skrtel swoop". Liverpool Echo (Liverpool). Retrieved 7 January 2008.
  11. ↑ Barrett, Tony (8 January 2008). "Martin Skrtel to sign after passing medical". Liverpool Echo (Liverpool). Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  12. ↑ Smith, Allen (20 March 2009). "Martin Skrtel proving to be another fine Rafael Benitez signing". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  13. ↑ Edwards, John (9 October 2008). "I feared my career was over, says injured Liverpool defender Skrtel". Mail Online (Liverpool). Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  14. ↑ "Newcastle 1-5 Liverpool". BBC. 28 December 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  15. ↑ "How the Premier League was won". BBC. 16 May 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  16. ↑ McNulty, Phil (21 November 2009). "Liverpool 2 – 2 Man City". BBC. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  17. ↑ "Liverpool defender Martin Škrtel out for eight weeks". BBC Sport. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  18. ↑ "Martin Škrtel extends Liverpool contract until 2014". BBC Sport. 18 August 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  19. ↑ "Dalglish delight for Skrtel | Liverpool News, Fixtures, Results, Transfers". Sky Sports. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  20. ↑ "Liverpool FC's Martin Skrtel hails 2010/11 as his best ever season". Liverpool Echo. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  21. ↑ "Reds top after Bolton win – Liverpool FC". Liverpoolfc.tv. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  22. ↑ "Tottenham 4 - 0 Liverpool". BBC. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  23. ↑ "Liverpool's defensive record is no surprise for Kenny Dalglish". The Guardian. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  24. ↑ "Liverpool FC’s Daniel Agger & Martin Skrtel are the best defensive partnership around - Jose Enrique". Liverpool Echo. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  25. ↑ Carroll, James (14 May 2012). "Skrtel named LFC Player of Season". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  26. ↑ Rice, Jimmy (20 August 2012). "Skrtel commits future to LFC". Liverpool F.C. (Liverpool). Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  27. ↑ "Reds left rue errors". ESPN. 26 August 2012. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  28. ↑ "Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel queries Brendan Rodgers' reasons for dropping him after Oldham defeat". The Telegraph. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  29. ↑ "Skrtel 'bugged' by Liverpool snub". ESPN. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  30. ↑ "Martin Skrtel admits he may move on after 'worst Liverpool season'". The Guardian. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  31. ↑ "Reds reject Napoli bid for Martin Skrtel". ESPN. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  32. ↑ "Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge strikes again to sink Manchester United". The Guardian. 1 September 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  33. ↑ "BBC Sport - Liverpool 4-0 Fulham". BBC. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  34. ↑ "Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool". BBC. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  35. ↑ "Liverpool run amok and deal Arsenal title credentials a brutal blow". Guardian. 8 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  36. ↑ "Martin Skrtel sets Premier League own-goal record after banner mocking Steven Gerrard flies over Anfield". Yahoo. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  37. ↑ Walker, Joseph (4 November 2014). "Benzema sends Madrid marching into last 16". UEFA. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  38. ↑ Munton, Max (9 March 2015). "What Is Brendan Rodgers' Best Defensive Line-Up at Liverpool?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  39. ↑ McNulty, Phil (21 December 2014). "Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  40. ↑ "Diego Costa: Chelsea striker gets three-match ban for stamp". BBC Sport. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  41. ↑ "Liverpool 0–1 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 8 March 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  42. ↑ "Martin Skrtel: Liverpool defender to serve three-game ban". BBC Sport. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  43. ↑ "Skrtel signs new Liverpool contract". Liverpool F.C. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  44. ↑ "Liverpool 1-1 Carlisle". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  45. ↑ http://www.liverpoolfc.com/fixtures2015/first-team/manchester-city-v-liverpool-8391/last-match-report
  46. ↑ https://twitter.com/LFC/status/668425338267942912
  47. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3349435/Liverpool-defender-Martin-Skrtel-levels-club-legend-Jamie-Carragher-Premier-League-goal-roll-honour.html
  48. ↑ http://www.goal.com/en/news/1862/premier-league/2015/12/22/18625252/injured-skrtel-out-for-six-weeks.

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