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| Skrtel signs until 2012 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 11 2008, 08:42 PM (22 Views) | |
Lord Gonzo
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Jan 11 2008, 08:42 PM Post #1 |
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Hang em first. Question em later.
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Posted Image Liverpool have today confirmed the signing of Slovakian international defender Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersberg on a four and a half year contract. The established centre half has 15 international caps for his country and Reds boss Rafael Benitez is predicting a bright Anfield future for the 23-year-old. "I think he is a player maybe not many people know about but he played against Everton for Zenit St Petersberg, and he is a centre half that knows the English style," said Benitez. "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. Watching him in some games his mentality is similar to Carra so I think it's very positive for the team. "Our scouts first knew of him when he was playing for Slovakia and we have been monitoring him since the start of the season. "We saw him play against Everton in the UEFA Cup match at Goodison and during the last few months we have been checking him closely. "I don't think he will be ready for Middlesbrough because the Russian league season ended more than a month ago and the last competitive game Martin played was in the UEFA Cup in December. "He has been training but I don't think that will be enough. He needs to get to know his team-mates and the league but I will look at him in training because he has a very good physical condition." The Reds boss also believes Skrtel is a player who will settle quickly into life at Anfield and put pressure on the likes of Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger for a starting role in the first team. "He has quality and he can be a problem for them and a good problem for me if I need to decide who to play in the future," added Benitez. "He has experience and enough quality for playing as soon as possible." Skrtel will wear squad number 37 at Anfield. |
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Lord Gonzo
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Jan 11 2008, 08:45 PM Post #2 |
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Hang em first. Question em later.
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Skrtel and Rafa on today’s transfer MARTIN SKRTEL Martin, how pleased are you to be at Liverpool? Very, very much. How much do you know about Liverpool? Although I wasn't a special fan of Liverpool, I watched football a lot and everybody knows about them. Were there other clubs interested in signing you other than Liverpool? [Rafa Benitez steps in to answer question] I can answer better than him. When we started talking with them he was very excited and Liverpool were his first choice. There were two or three English clubs asking for him but he preferred us. He was very pleased. What about the competition for a starting place? The competition for a place in a team like Liverpool is always high. But the manager gave me his trust and I will do my best to keep it. You are now Liverpool's most expensive defender, how does it make you feel? I am a player and I don't want to look at how much was paid. These things are up to the manager and the board. Do you think it will take you time to adjust to the pace of the English game? Probably yes, but I will do my best. In Russia I wasn't training because of the winter break. I should comeback into fitness in around 10 days. Was it your ambition to play in the Premier League? Yes, but it is always hard for a player from Slovakia. Playing abroad in Russia for three years and a half was a good preparation. But yes, it is always a dream for any footballer to play in this league. RAFA BENITEZ Have you been following Martin for a long time, Rafa? We were scouting him since when he was 18. His last game was against Everton and we knew it could have been a good signing for us. What kind of player is he? Martin has pace, he is good in the air and he is aggressive. I would say he is more similar to Carra than Agger. He can play in the centre - either on the left or the right side, more or less like Carragher. Why did you decide to sign him? We needed a centre-back and we were working really hard trying to find the right player. The prices in the market are really high and so once you decide what kind of player you need, you have to go for it. When will he be ready to play? The problem now is that he hasn't been training for 10 to 15 days but he is very strong and talented. He is available but it depends on the tests we make, and also Agger is fit now. It doesn't matter about the price and the age; every player needs to settle down in England and we don't want to put pressure on him. He is Liverpool's most expensive defender, will that put pressure on him? Not really. The market is crazy nowadays and the key is to sign the right player at the right price. When we signed Agger people didn't see much of him in the first six months and now they say he is a fantastic player. So, Martin needs time and he will grow with the team. Everybody is happy now that the player is here. |
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Lord Gonzo
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Jan 11 2008, 08:46 PM Post #3 |
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Hang em first. Question em later.
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Skrtel: Rafa’s the reason I signed Martin Skrtel admits the impression left on him by Rafa Benitez was key to him spurning offers from other Premier League clubs. The Slovak trained with his new teammates for the first time on Friday morning before Liverpoolfc.tv was granted the first interview. Skrtel - who was reportedly a target for Everton, Spurs and Valencia - told us his new boss made quite an impression during negotiations between the Reds and former club Zenit St Petersburg. "The manager wanted me to come here which was important for me," said the 23-year-old. "I found him to be a nice man and Rafa was a big influence on me coming to Liverpool. "I am looking forward to my first game at Anfield and playing in front of the Liverpool supporters. I can't wait. I have been to Anfield and it is beautiful. I can't wait to see it when it is full of fans." The Russian Premier League is currently in the middle of a winter break, meaning Skrtel is not fit enough to play any part in this weekend's clash with Middlesbrough. It may take the new boy 10 days to find match fitness, but with three established centre-backs already at the club, he knows he may have to be patient. He said: "Obviously I was aware about the competition for places. Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger are players with immense quality. "I will do my best to get into the team as soon as possible. For any team to have competition in all positions is good and I will work as hard as possible to challenge for a place. Rafa hasn't said too much to me about my place just yet." Skrtel has already had a taste of playing with Premier League players having pitted his wits against Andy Johnson and Everton in the UEFA Cup earlier this season. Never, though, has he played alongside players of the quality of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres – until this morning, that is. He admits his first training session was a nerve-wracking experience. "I had my first training session with the team today and the lads all welcomed me to the club. I was a bit nervous because they are huge stars but once training started I was okay." As well as getting used to new surroundings here on Merseyside, Skrtel will embark on a crash course in English. Not that he'll need as many lessons as some who arrive at Melwood. He explained: "The coach at Zenit, Dick Advocaat, spoke English to the players, so I already know many of the football phrases - that should help." Skrtel admits he owes Advocaat a debt of gratitude, not only for the English lessons, but for allowing him to complete a dream move to the Premier League. "The past few days have been full of anxiety and wait but I'm glad it's all sorted now and I am finally a Liverpool player," he said. "I would like to say a big 'Thank you' to Zenit St Petersburg for allowing me to come to Liverpool. I was under contract at Zenit and they helped me with this move. "When I played against Everton it showed me why I always wanted to play in the English league. I am very happy to be here." The player also revealed the move to Liverpool means he will have to give up his other favourite pastime, hockey. "As a child I played a lot of hockey. When I was at Zenit we had a winter break and the manager let me play hockey then. Now I'm here at Liverpool I won't be able to do that anymore more." |
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