ACCORDING to Tutto Mercato, former Reds boss Rafa Benitez, fresh after scooping Pepe Reina from Anfield has set his sights on another player, this time Slovakian defender, Martin Skrtel.
Benitez, now head of Napoli, recently brought Reina over to Serie A on a season-long loan. However it has transpired that Benitez has not finished his interest in other Reds players, and is set to rekindle his interest in Skrtel, a player Benitez himself brought to Anfield.
Napoli have already been linked with the Slovakian last month, though Skrtel’s agent Karol Csonto squashed the rumours of a move, claiming that there had been ‘no contact between the clubs.’
Whilst Benitez is understood to be interested in bringing in another striker for Napoli, he is also insistent that all positions should have a least two players to maintain competition.
Benitez has only brought in one defensive player so far, and he will be hoping to capitalise on the good relationship he and Skrtel had back at Liverpool to lure the centre-back to Napoli.
Skrtel has become increasingly frustrated towards the latter stages of last season as his number of starts decreased rapidly, leading to the 28 year old to reveal he was considering leaving the club.
Skrtel joined the Reds in 2008 under Benitez and has went on to play 206 games for the club, and even netted a goal in the 2012 League Cup win against Cardiff City.
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let him go pls lfc
Let him go please. But not on loan
This has a 70% chance of happening. Napoli is going to be a 2nd Liverpool team. BR is offloading expensive players and those that the manager do no like.
Skrtel was Liverpool player of the year season before last, so what, he had a dip in form, that will happen to every player going, but a good manager will guide his player through and build up his confidence, but that’s a good manager. Also Skrtels’ form was also affected by the fact he (and all the other defenders) had no protection from a strong defensive midfielder, a problem that Rodgers does’nt appear to exist in our team. i think if skrtel goes to Napoli he will soon become first choice.
I do not think he will be allowed to leave as there is no definite cover for Agger and Toure. Kelly has a lot to do after a season out.
Once they find a cheaper player than skrtel he will be allowed to leave.
Papadopolous has been mooted as a replacement for Skrtel and would probably, if signed, be paid less than the £70k per week Skrtel is said to be on. Performance related pay would be good idea to bring to all football clubs rather than players having a guaranteed weekly income. It would slash the wage bill at these clubs and force every player to really earn their money. I don’t think for a moment that Stewart Downing is worthy of his £70k a week.
Brenda cant coach him.
Actually LFC should sell Downing .