Anfield

Next Game

Liverpool v QPR

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Craven Cottage

Last Game

Fulham 1 - 3 Liverpool

Sunday, 12 May 2013, 15:00

Barclays Prem

Skrtel relishing Cole clash

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is looking forward to the rough and tumble of the physical challenge posed by West Ham on Sunday.

Last Updated: 08/12/12 at 13:27 Post Comment

Martin Skrtel: Looking forward to taking on Carlton Cole

Martin Skrtel: Looking forward to taking on Carlton Cole

The Slovakia defender may not have to face on-loan Anfield team-mate Andy Carroll, who would have been ineligible to play even if he had not been ruled out for two months with a knee injury, but expects a similar test from another big frontman, Carlton Cole.

Cole scored his first goal of the season in the 3-1 win over Chelsea last weekend and Skrtel knows he can be a handful - but that makes it even more enjoyable for the centre-back.

"For me personally it is better if they play with a big striker because that is what I like," Skrtel said.

"I am more comfortable than playing against smaller guys.

"But it is no different who is playing, whether it was Andy or Carlton Cole.

"They are all dangerous and we have to focus and be careful for 90 minutes and don't let them score.

"I am looking forward to it and I'll try to do my best to make sure they don't.

"It is going to be a difficult game because it is going to be physical and we have to be ready for that.

"We have to play our game and try to beat them and I hope the quality is on our side and we can beat them."

Defensive stability has returned to some degree in the last few weeks combined with players other than Luis Suarez finding the net.

As a centre-back, Skrtel takes great pride in the former as he admits Liverpool were shaky in defence earlier in the season as the team tried to adjust to new manager Brendan Rodgers' different ways of working.

"For me as a defender, but also for the whole team it is good when we don't concede a goal because that is where we start from," added the 27-year-old.

"If you don't concede a goal you have a good chance of winning the game and I think we have tightened up in recent weeks.

"Of course we know from the beginning of the season it wasn't working well because too many things had changed, but in the last few weeks we have started to play better and we are stronger at the back."

Liverpool have successfully bounced back from the ending of their eight-match unbeaten league run when even the performance in the defeat at Tottenham was encouraging.

Having beaten Southampton at home last weekend they progressed to the last 32 of the Europa League with a victory over Udinese in Italy.

Skrtel believes momentum is growing and insists they need to use that to mount a push for the top four, which is still tantalisingly in reach despite a disappointing start to the Reds' campaign.

The next month will probably determine - both on and off the pitch where January signings are expected to, at the very least, bolster the forward line - whether they in a position to mount a bid

"In the last three weeks we have got better and the confidence is growing," he added.

"It was a big game in Italy and we knew we had to win and we got it to get through to the next round.

"We just have to carry on this way and be better and better now.

"The period up to and over Christmas is very important and I think we have to get as many points as we can going from game to game and try to get closer to the top four."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Premier League: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley offers £1m incentive for victory over Arsenal

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will share out £1m between the club's non-football staff if they beat Arsenal on Sunday.

Emotional Beckham says goodbye

David Beckham was in tears as he left the pitch after playing what could be the final game of his career as Paris Saint-Germain beat Brest 3-1.

Clichy signs new City deal

Manchester City have confirmed that Gael Clichy has signed a new four-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved