I am really please we have secured Skrtel for the long term as I thought Benitez was mistaken to drop him last season. It wasn't that Skrtel was playing badly it was just that he was being made to look bad by the poor play of Insua. Great to see that now we have a real manager he has recognized this. Interesting to see also that on Saturday against Arsenal Insua didn't even make the subs bench. He refused to move to Italy because they wouldn't match the inflated salary Benitez had given him. Well it would appear he is going to rot in the reserves. Somehow I don't think this bother him too much which says it all about his character.
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has signed a two-year extension to his contract.
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 9:18AM BST 18 Aug 2010
Signing on: Martin Skrtel has committed his future to Liverpool Photo: GETTY IMAGES The Slovakia international had two years remaining on his previous deal but has now committed to Anfield until 2014.
His decision to re-sign is further good news for new manager Roy Hodgson after pledges of allegiance from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres over the summer.
Skrtel said: "Before I came here a lot of people thought I wasn't good enough to play for Liverpool, but I think I have shown I am.
"I'm happy to try and carry on giving good performances and doing my best for the club.
"Signing a new contract gives me confidence and I will work hard in training every day to play as many games as possible.
"You can always improve. I know the good and bad parts of my game and I will keep working."
Skrtel, 25, joined Liverpool a £6 million move from Zenit St Petersburg in Jan 2008.
He has since established himself as one of the club's first-choice central defenders alongside Jamie Carragher.
Skrtel missed the end of last season with a broken foot but recovered in time to feature in Slovakia's impressive World Cup campaign.
The mood at Liverpool has been transformed since the arrival of Hodgson in July, with the signings of Joe Cole and Milan Jovanovic also lifting spirits after last season's disappointing seventh-place Premier League finish.
Skrtel added: "Lots of things have changed at the club this year with new players, a new manager and new medical staff.
"The spirit is very good and we showed that against Arsenal with a great performance. We can build on that and carry it on.
"We have quality in the dressing room and I know we will do better this year.
"A club like Liverpool deserves to win trophies and I will help them do that, hopefully this season.
"Everyone plays football to win trophies. Playing for Liverpool is a big motivation for everyone and we will do everything we can to win the Premier League. We have the highest targets - to win everything."
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