Martin Skrtel put in another shaky performance against Southampton at the weekend, and after being personally culpable for two of the Saints' three goals, the Slovakian's exit from Anfield looks all the more likely this summer. Zenit St. Petersburg are interested in bringing Skrtel back to Russia, but reports this week suggest that Arsenal may throw their hat into the ring.
According to The Mirror:
"Martin Skrtel [is] at the top of his [Wenger's] list.
"Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will allow Skrtel, who is out of favour at Anfield, to leave for around £13m.
"The Gunners will face competition for Skrtel from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg"
If Liverpool can get £13m for Skrtel then that would be a massive bonus, and it would all but pay for a decent replacement. I doubt, however, that he'll end up at Arsenal; at this stage, a return to Zenit would seem like a more viable outcome. Indeed, Russian newspaper Isvestia reported last month:
"Zenit are considering the possibility bringing Martin Skrtel back to the club. The National champions plan to strengthen their defensive line up with the return of Skrtel, who will have no problems adapting to the Russian league"
Former Russian footballer Boris Chuhlov believes that Skrtel would make a great acquisition for the club, but doubts that the Slovakian would actually make the move. He told Isvestia:
"Skrtel is good and reliable defender and his return would greatly increased competition for a place in the starting line-up. He would really help the team, but I don't think he would leave Liverpool. The only reason he might leave is to get a better, and the chance to appear in the Champions League"
Prior to joining Liverpool, Skrtel - described in February by Ray Houghton as being 'rash' and having 'a lot of deficiencies' - spent 4 years at Zenit, and in a recent interview, he revealed that he still watches out for the club's results. He said:
"I enjoyed my time in St. Petersburg; the the fans and the city were great. This team, which collected a large number of high-profile players, sets a very high goals. I always watch the progress of the Zenit and enjoy seeing their success"
Liverpool have suffered some abject defeats in the league this season, specifically:
* West Brom: 3-0
* Aston Villa: 1-3
* Stoke City: 3-1
* West Brom: 0-2
* Southampton: 3-1
The common defensive denominator in all these games is Skrtel. It's arguably a matter of when, not if, he leaves, and his poor showing against Southampton at the weekend must surely be the final nail in the Slovakian's coffin.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
According to The Mirror:
"Martin Skrtel [is] at the top of his [Wenger's] list.
"Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will allow Skrtel, who is out of favour at Anfield, to leave for around £13m.
"The Gunners will face competition for Skrtel from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg"
If Liverpool can get £13m for Skrtel then that would be a massive bonus, and it would all but pay for a decent replacement. I doubt, however, that he'll end up at Arsenal; at this stage, a return to Zenit would seem like a more viable outcome. Indeed, Russian newspaper Isvestia reported last month:
"Zenit are considering the possibility bringing Martin Skrtel back to the club. The National champions plan to strengthen their defensive line up with the return of Skrtel, who will have no problems adapting to the Russian league"
Former Russian footballer Boris Chuhlov believes that Skrtel would make a great acquisition for the club, but doubts that the Slovakian would actually make the move. He told Isvestia:
"Skrtel is good and reliable defender and his return would greatly increased competition for a place in the starting line-up. He would really help the team, but I don't think he would leave Liverpool. The only reason he might leave is to get a better, and the chance to appear in the Champions League"
Prior to joining Liverpool, Skrtel - described in February by Ray Houghton as being 'rash' and having 'a lot of deficiencies' - spent 4 years at Zenit, and in a recent interview, he revealed that he still watches out for the club's results. He said:
"I enjoyed my time in St. Petersburg; the the fans and the city were great. This team, which collected a large number of high-profile players, sets a very high goals. I always watch the progress of the Zenit and enjoy seeing their success"
Liverpool have suffered some abject defeats in the league this season, specifically:
* West Brom: 3-0
* Aston Villa: 1-3
* Stoke City: 3-1
* West Brom: 0-2
* Southampton: 3-1
The common defensive denominator in all these games is Skrtel. It's arguably a matter of when, not if, he leaves, and his poor showing against Southampton at the weekend must surely be the final nail in the Slovakian's coffin.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
42 Comments :
I think the formation changes really cause him unable to defend well. I can say he lack of vision in seeing the movement of opponent that what make him underperform this season. Last season he perform well is due to the midfield defence and provide fewer room for opponent to move in.
To be honest Jamie, I would not mind him leaving at all as long as we a good replacement. I would much rather he left for Zenit than Arsenal.
He is a shadow of the player he was last season. I think this might be due to the higher defensive line we are playing, he seems to get caught on the turn quite often and he get bullied by strong strikers.
Considering he signed a new contract maybe he would command a higher fee than £13M. I would like us to play Wisdom at CB for a few of the last games though.
With the skinhead and the tattooes, Skrtel has this tough aura about him, but as you say, he gets bullied off the ball way too easily, and the same applies to Agger, who projects a similarly 'tough' look.
Sell him to Zenit, they'll outbid Arsenal any time.
Sell Sell SELL! and also sell Agger, Coates and Johnson and buy 3-4 centre halves and a right back, replace the spineless cowards!, brand new defence needed!.
I don't think he is a poor defender at all. Last season he was excellent. This season he has played just as good gernerally speaking, but mistakes have crept into his game. Against Southampton he made so many headers, tackles, clearances and blocks it was unreal.. Then his whole performance was ruined by losing his man, and letting the runner ghost past him effortlessly. He needs to cut out these mistakes, and I think the loss of Steve Clarke has really hurt our defence. I really want to see Roy Evans back in a director of football role, as he could provide guidance for Rodgers and a great role model to everyone. He was screwed by the Houllier fiasco. The only other return i want Is Xavi Valero (the old goalkeeper coach). He made Reina the best keeper in the league. Carragher should take up a full time role as a defensive coach. Skrtel should only be sold if we can find a top replacement. Someone in the mould of Hummels, Howedes, Lovren etc. Otherwise, I don't see the point.
agree m8 gone from player of the year to scapegoat in the blink of an eye
jimmy somerville has a skinhead and tattoos it dosen,t mean hes trying to show a tough guy aura,
Really Johnson has been one of our best players this season
Only sell him if we can get two decent cb to replace him. I would still give him another chance though as he hasn't played a game for a few weeks.
The truth is that many players always find it difficult to blend in when it comes to playing the ball like arsenal and barcelona .
We at arsenal don't equally need him. Our targets are Adil Rami and Ashley Williams.
I think he signed his new deal knowing he wanted to move on soon, his head isn't right. He took a nice pay rise but if he wants out then so be it, last season he was superb so what has happened since then??..............let him go!!
8 years isn't it?????
Made up rumour copied from The Mirror - pointless discussion
over 20 years.
Where's your CL trophy???
Major trophies won:
Liverpool 41
Arsenal 27.........................fact!!
its amazing how quickly he's gone from hero to zero. some of his problem must be down to buck's tactics, cause he and agger have been great at various times in the past.
any extra money in the kitty is welcome. King kenny bargain bucket clearance sale coming up.
If Evans has anything left in the tank, it could be a great idea. He wouldn't be the interfering type, nor would he cause problems (which would have been on the horizon with Van Gaal as DoF).
Realistically though, he has been out of the game for so long, you have to think that it wouldn't work.
As for Valero, he should have been brought back years ago. It was reported (just before he was sacked) that Kenny was going to bring him back into the fold. Unfortunate that we missed out on that.
And you are? Wenger?
a bit like allen 15m to 15 quid
Allen played in all those games as well...
johnson is as good as any rightback in the world on his day....but theres not a lot you can do when your midfield is getting overrun
Not being pedantic .. but Jimmy Somerville doesn't have any tats .. not that I know of anyway .. unless you've seen parts of his body the rest of us haven't !! lol
Jaimie's right man.. the two lads with their shaved head, viking Mohawk and 'sleeve' tats think they look the dogs bollx.. when in fact the two of them are as soft as andrex double quilted toilet paper..
Spot on mate. People are talking about Williams but I would say he would only take over Coates' place as back-up. If Skrtel goes we need a big time defender to replace him and imo, Williams isnt there yet - and big time doesn't necessarily mean a $20mil buy; any of the players you mentioned or another $2.6 mil Fin would do nicely :)
i Agree its embarrassing watching them get owned
We so need Xavi Valero back
so did Gerrard, your point? And Suarez I think
JUST SELL HIM WHEN GOOD OFFER ARRIVE ON THE TABLE....But his value must be more than 15milion pound.He still got the best and must becarefull to sell Skrtel to our contenters clubs.The price must very worth.
If we do sell Skrtel I would like to raid the Barca academy for someone who knows how to play the high line.
Btw I don't want Williams he has made as many mistakes as Skrtel this season and he doesn't look like an improvement on him.
I would rather play Kelly, Wisdom or Coates over Wiliams.
lol m8 i was trying to think of a soft skinhead with tats jaimie mentioned two of the only ones i know of ;-)
15 quid better cash in now before the price tumbles;-)
I do think its time for a shake up at the back at Liverpool. Skrtel seems the obvious choice to be replaced out of Agger, Enrique and Johnson. i would love us to move for Mamadou Sakho, hes 23 , quick, physical and is a good ball player as well which would suit BR style of play. He is also able to play left back so would also give us more cover in that area. I doubt PSG will want to sell though but the lure of the Premier league could possibly help us land him.
Arsenal can't afford hiss wages.
He has been shocking in our last 6 games. Shoudve been dropped for wisdom weeks ago. Id rather keep him as a winger he would be a lot better than downing.
Ah here we go, I see the prehistoric museum still has visitors. Just love it when LFC fans bring up ancient honours, as it really illustrates the desperate scraping of the barrel and how rubbish you have been in the PL era, your the gift that keeps giving (Oh I'm not a Arsenal fan by the way or even a close rival, just someone that appreciates the amusing gift that is LFC in the PL era) How many major titles (CL & PL) have you won in the PL era? Always funny watching LFC fans like you scraping the barrel by bringing up Ice Age achievements, as you still don't seem to comprehend how meaningless the prehistoric honours get as each decade passes by, in terms of boasting power. Outside of the LFC bubble, it doesn't have much sway but bless the likes of you who still comprehend that, despite the time passed by. But thanks anyway, I'll know who to come to, if I need a guide for the prehistoric museum.
that much
Who went to Wembley 3 times last season?, who won a trophy last season?.....................end of!!!
Considering you like to big up LFC so much as a big club, I wouldn't really be going around boasting about winning the COC if I were you. Its small fish for current big clubs, even when they win it but maybe you suddenly think LFC aren't a current big club anymore and instead realise you should be grateful for winning a Capital One Cup, hence the boasting of it, despite its vast inferiority to PL and CL. You enjoy that COC mate, whatever floats your boat these days.
well said spot on. we need some real men in central defence
Hej Jaimie, Skrtel is not any worse than Agger this season who cost us at least 7-8 goals in last 2 months directly.
And Martin did not even feature in our 0-2 loss again WBA, he probably was defensive denominator from the stands.
Your bias is embarrasing
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