Skrtel thanks the Liverpool fans for continuing support

Liverpool’s big Slovakian defender has been an ever present for the past 18 months

After what has been a long, tumultuous 12 months both personally and at Anfield for Skrtel, Liverpool’s Slovakian defender took to his own official website to thanks the club’s fans for their support today.

Speaking following his 1st goal of the season, Skrtel said “I would like to wish you Merry Christmas and thank you from my heart for your support throughout this year.

“We had our highs and lows but you always stood by me, so I would like to thank you once again for that. Your support is very important to me.

“So, once again, have some rest, enjoy the festive period and I wish you all the best in the upcoming year.”

Skrtel was the top defensive scorer last season in the Premier League with 7 goals, contributing a huge amount for a central defender; the most by any Liverpool centre back since Sami Hyypia in 2003-04 season.

Oft-maligned for his lack of pace and individual errors, there is no doubting the commitment of the Slovakian who, along with Daniel Agger, was linked to the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Barcelona in recent seasons.

The ever-present central defender continued “That goal and the performance can help turn things around because there has been a lot of criticism of us this season. I hope it will change and we’ll be better in the second half of the season.”