Martin Skrtel 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 appearences 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: “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”.
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 as fans as an important part of the club’s future and as Jamie Carragher‘s eventual successor.
’5euros’, Aug. 2008
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