Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Minutes on pitch: 2124 mins
Minutes per goal: 2124 mins
Martin Skrtel (37)
Defender CentreFull Name: Martin Skrtel
Born: Sat 15th December 1984 in Handlova, Slovakia
Bought: 11th January 2008 from Zenit St Petersburg
Transfer Fee: £6500000
09/10 Appearances: 30 (6 from bench)
09/10 Goals: 1
09/10 Assists: 0
Minutes on pitch: 2124 mins
Minutes per goal: 2124 mins
All LFC Appearances: 80 LFC Goals: 1
Career Appearances: 199 Career Goals: 12
Slovakia Appearances: 32 Goals: 5
Previous Clubs: Trencin, Zenit St Petersburg
Martin Skrtel Profile
Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel began his career playing for local side Trencin before moving to Zenit St Petersburg in 2004, quickly establishing himself for the Russian side and the Slovakian national team.
He was a competent ice hockey player in his youth but chose to give it up to concentrate on football, which his father had played for FC Prievidza; and which Martin would do also in his youth. He then went on to sign for FK AS Trencin, where he tried a number of different positions before becoming comfortable as a centre half.
Skrtel´s first major opportunity came with Zenit St. Petersburg, who snapped up the Slovakian in 2004 after spotting his obvious talent. He went on to make 113 appearances for the club, scoring 5 goals in the process and helping Zenit win the Russian Premier League in 2007; his performances helping him win Slovak player of the year in 2007.
Martin signed for Liverpool on 11th January 2008 for £6.5 million, with Rafa Benitez being delighted with his capture.
After a shaky debut against Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup, Skrtel established himself as a strong, no nonsense defender with assured displays against Chelsea away, Everton at home and notably in both legs of the Champions League tie against Arsenal. He is seen by fans as an important part of the club's future and as Jamie Carragher´s eventual successor.
His first half-season at Anfield was a very impressive one and he hopes to build on this success in 2008/09. So far so good. (smigger15)
Martin started the 2008/09 season as the first choice centre-back alongside Jamie Carragher. However a serious knee injury suffered away at Manchester City left Martin on the sidelines for the rest of 2008.
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