Player Feature: Martin Skrtel

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The Slovakian international is back in training and could be the must have buy this Christmas. We all got excited about Alex and Agger as cheap members of a legaue leading back four but each of them were only ever going to be stop gaps. Skrtel however is a bona fide starter and at 5.6m is incredible value.
With Skrtel in the side, Liverpool conceded 4 goals in 6 games, keeping 3 clean sheets in the process. 3 of these goals came against United and City, two of the better attacks in the league.

Skrtel is tipped to return to the first team on Boxing day at home to Bolton in time to face Stoke, Everton and Wigan as well the aforementioned Wanderers. This run should be good for 3 clean sheets and points a plenty for the big centre back. When he was fit he was averaging 3.83 points per game for a very healthy 0.685 points per million spent. Anyone still clinging to Agger, Alex or Kompany should look to Strkel to solidify their back line in time for the Christmas period, much in the same way Benitez is.

Comments

Ash said…
I've been avoiding liverpool defence due to rotation, and just how can you trust someone who scores so many own goals like Jamie Carragher?

I think this article is excellent, I really rate Skrtel and will probably buy him.
December 18, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Unknown said…
Hmm...
Carragher: Started every game.
Arbeloa: Started every game. (-1 suspended)

Personally, I'll gladly take that sort of rotation...
December 18, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Ash said…
Carragher is no Bosingwa. Bosingwa scores goals for his team.

You are right though, Arbeloa is quality.
December 18, 2008 at 10:57 PM
marco said…
Skrtel is a good option, agree. But what is the timing of his return? there seems to be no news on this yet so it could take a few weeks
December 19, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Chris said…
marco, i think that's the biggest risk here. alot of people jumped on Carvalho (I was very close to) because reports suggested he was due to return. With Skrtel, because he is so cheap I plan to wait until he has actually played a game before I bring him in. Although in the mean time I have Agger rotting on my bench so I hope its soon!
December 19, 2008 at 5:29 AM
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