LIVERPOOL FC defender Martin Skrtel has today committed his future to the club by putting pen to paper on a new long term contract. The Slovakian centre-back, who was voted LFC Player of the Year last season, signed the deal after today’s training session.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com immediately afterwards, Skrtel, who had been linked with a move away from Anfield earlier in the transfer window, made clear that signing a new contract with the Reds was one of his top priorities this summer.
“I’m happy because I am a part of one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Skrtel. “After last season there was a lot of talk about my future but I have to say that the first priority for me was always to sign a new deal with Liverpool.
“For me it’s a great thing to play for Liverpool. I am proud to play for Liverpool with these great players – probably some of the best players in the world. I hope I can create history at this club and that the fans will always remember me – that’s my target for the future.”
After Rafael Benitez signed Skrtel from Zenith St. Petersburg in 2008, the centre-half endured a nightmare debut and took a while to settle in Liverpool Red. However he has since gone on to make 175 appearances for the Anfield club and has become a firm fixture at the heart of the Liverpool back four.
During his time at Anfield Skrtel has seen a lot of change go on around him, however, he is confident that with Brendan Rodgers at the helm, things will continue to improve and admits that both he and his family are very happy with life on Merseyside.
“I have been here almost four and a half years and I have enjoyed that time here – myself and also my family, so there were no questions about whether to stay or to leave.
“A lot of things have changed, a new manager has come. I think we can start to make history and I want to be a part of that history. We have our target. For this season it is the top four and I hope we can do it. Then we will see.
“I think Brendan Rodgers showed his quality with Swansea and now he’s carrying on doing that at Liverpool. He’s showed he’s a great manager and I hope we can play better football than we did in the last seasons and I hope we can get our target.”
You can catch up with Neil on Twitter @Neil1980 and on his blog http://itsallinthegameblog.wordpress.com/
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Now sell injury prone Agger and sign two quality centre halfs with the money.
Buy adam johnson and royston drenthe
Who cares!
Player of the season last year,i expect him to carry on that form,he is a huge player for liverpool.Coates can learn from him,Debatable if maybe we should cash in on Agger and give Kelly /Coates a run there.