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Martin Skrtel was widely expected to leave Liverpool this summer, instead he’s forced his way back into the side, earning praise from his manager this week. Katrik Ramesh looks at his resurgence.
Late January 2013, Liverpool went out of the FA cup against League One Oldham in a match that highlighted Liverpool’s pivotal weakness – their defence.
The main fall guy for this defeat was Martin Skrtel, who was taken to the cleaners by Matt Smith. The 6ft 6in forward made life miserable for the Slovakian and Sebastian Coates alongside him. The ease and physical prowess with which Smith outclassed Skrtel was a major disappointment.
Arguably, an on-form Skrtel can be as good as any central defender in the world. He is physically strong, good aerially, can read the game and also has the speed to counter quick centre forwards. These were the qualities that made Rafa Benitez splurge the cash on him in 2008. He was an unknown quality when he came into the club, his steady performances led to a notion that we finally had a good young defender who has what it takes to be the best in the league.
It was the year of 2011-2012 that showcased the best of Skrtel’s strengths as a central defender. He was as reliable as you could hope for, making only one error that led to a shot, and none that led to a goal. He was physically at his strongest, could read a killer pass early and was brave when going into tackles. Skrtel deserved the player of the season plaudits that were bestowed on him by the club supporters.
With King Kenny at the helm, Skrtel alongside Daniel Agger had formed the strongest defensive partnership (which was formed almost during the second half of the season) in the Premier League. They were the meanest in terms of letting the least amount of goals as well as showing their strengths in winning ground tackles and the all important ‘aerial ones’.
The statistics below gives a thorough understanding of how they performed in that season. They were the top pair and hence Liverpool was one of the meanest defences that season. Had the finishing and the goal scoring been more precise it could have been a more productive season.
Last season began with Brendan Rodgers at helm and he quickly tied Skrtel to the club with a long term contract after interest from Man City. Rodgers knew that the partnership of Skrtel and Agger was pivotal in the team that he needed to build.
Agger suffered an injury that ruled him out, meaning that Skrtel was the main man in defence and he was partnered either with Jamie Carragher or Coates. Whether it was this constant changing of partners or the fact that he was the deputy under the leadership of Carragher or a drop of form, Skrtel never once looked liked the player he was just a season ago. The assumption was that Skrtel was suffering when asked to play a new style under Rodgers; incapable of being confident with the ball at his feet and pressing higher up the pitch.
He was clearly short of confidence, which made him commit more fouls than the previous season. He made three errors that led to shots, of which two led to goals. The error against Man City cost Liverpool 2 points that day.
Although it wasn’t just his obvious errors that led to goals, often he would be found wanting when facing an aggressive attacking threat. Christian Benteke’s second goal in Aston Villa’s 3-1 win at Anfield was a prime example of this. With Benteke bearing down on the goal, Skrtel backed off and backed off until Benteke simply ran around him and put the ball in the net.
The match against Oldham was the final straw which led him to being the third choice centre back. Skrtel had all but lost the confidence of the manager and he was dropped to the bench. With Carragher forming an incredible allegiance with Agger, Skrtel never really got an opportunity to come back into the first team. Even with a few opportunities that were presented to him he was a mere ghost of himself, never really assured and there was always a feeling that he would commit an error which would lead to a goal.
With Rodgers adding Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori to his options this summer, it looked like Skrtel’s time at Anfield was up. He was now seemingly fourth choice centre-back.
But, when the opportunity presented itself to grab it with both hands, Skrtel took it – at home to Man United. Skrtel relished the challenge and took man of the match. 100% of all ground and aerial duels won only goes so far in explaining just how solid his performance was on the day.
Skrtel has been ever-present since, looking much stronger and hungrier. He has thrived as the central centre-back of the three, alongside Toure and Sakho.
With Agger on the bench, competition is strong, especially if Rodgers were to change to a back four. The most important thing now though is that Skrtel is back on form, long may it continue.
Martin Skrtel was widely expected to leave Liverpool this summer, instead he’s forced his way back into the side, earning praise from his manager this week. Katrik Ramesh looks at his resurgence.
Late January 2013, Liverpool went out of the FA cup against League One Oldham in a match that highlighted Liverpool’s pivotal weakness – their defence.
The main fall guy for this defeat was Martin Skrtel, who was taken to the cleaners by Matt Smith. The 6ft 6in forward made life miserable for the Slovakian and Sebastian Coates alongside him. The ease and physical prowess with which Smith outclassed Skrtel was a major disappointment.
Arguably, an on-form Skrtel can be as good as any central defender in the world. He is physically strong, good aerially, can read the game and also has the speed to counter quick centre forwards. These were the qualities that made Rafa Benitez splurge the cash on him in 2008. He was an unknown quality when he came into the club, his steady performances led to a notion that we finally had a good young defender who has what it takes to be the best in the league.
It was the year of 2011-2012 that showcased the best of Skrtel’s strengths as a central defender. He was as reliable as you could hope for, making only one error that led to a shot, and none that led to a goal. He was physically at his strongest, could read a killer pass early and was brave when going into tackles. Skrtel deserved the player of the season plaudits that were bestowed on him by the club supporters.
With King Kenny at the helm, Skrtel alongside Daniel Agger had formed the strongest defensive partnership (which was formed almost during the second half of the season) in the Premier League. They were the meanest in terms of letting the least amount of goals as well as showing their strengths in winning ground tackles and the all important ‘aerial ones’.
The statistics below gives a thorough understanding of how they performed in that season. They were the top pair and hence Liverpool was one of the meanest defences that season. Had the finishing and the goal scoring been more precise it could have been a more productive season.
Last season began with Brendan Rodgers at helm and he quickly tied Skrtel to the club with a long term contract after interest from Man City. Rodgers knew that the partnership of Skrtel and Agger was pivotal in the team that he needed to build.
Agger suffered an injury that ruled him out, meaning that Skrtel was the main man in defence and he was partnered either with Jamie Carragher or Coates. Whether it was this constant changing of partners or the fact that he was the deputy under the leadership of Carragher or a drop of form, Skrtel never once looked liked the player he was just a season ago. The assumption was that Skrtel was suffering when asked to play a new style under Rodgers; incapable of being confident with the ball at his feet and pressing higher up the pitch.
He was clearly short of confidence, which made him commit more fouls than the previous season. He made three errors that led to shots, of which two led to goals. The error against Man City cost Liverpool 2 points that day.
Although it wasn’t just his obvious errors that led to goals, often he would be found wanting when facing an aggressive attacking threat. Christian Benteke’s second goal in Aston Villa’s 3-1 win at Anfield was a prime example of this. With Benteke bearing down on the goal, Skrtel backed off and backed off until Benteke simply ran around him and put the ball in the net.
The match against Oldham was the final straw which led him to being the third choice centre back. Skrtel had all but lost the confidence of the manager and he was dropped to the bench. With Carragher forming an incredible allegiance with Agger, Skrtel never really got an opportunity to come back into the first team. Even with a few opportunities that were presented to him he was a mere ghost of himself, never really assured and there was always a feeling that he would commit an error which would lead to a goal.
With Rodgers adding Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori to his options this summer, it looked like Skrtel’s time at Anfield was up. He was now seemingly fourth choice centre-back.
But, when the opportunity presented itself to grab it with both hands, Skrtel took it – at home to Man United. Skrtel relished the challenge and took man of the match. 100% of all ground and aerial duels won only goes so far in explaining just how solid his performance was on the day.
Skrtel has been ever-present since, looking much stronger and hungrier. He has thrived as the central centre-back of the three, alongside Toure and Sakho.
With Agger on the bench, competition is strong, especially if Rodgers were to change to a back four. The most important thing now though is that Skrtel is back on form, long may it continue.
Reds defender Daniel Agger has denied suggestions he will be leaving the club, after he was quoted discussing his situation having recently lost his place in the team.
Agger, 28, lost his place in the team after missing the Man United League Cup defeat through injury. Since then, Brendan Rodgers has changed to three at the back, with Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho starting the last four Premier League games together.
An interview Agger gave to media back in Denmark quoted him as saying:
“If I don’t play. If the manager doesn’t think I’m good enough, that could make me leave Liverpool.
“I’m here to play football, nothing else. So if I don’t play football, then I don’t want to be here.”
The Liverpool vice-captain was linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer, but took to twitter to deny suggestions he will leave the club.
He wrote that he is “not going anywhere” and “will be back in the team soon”.
Reds defender Daniel Agger has denied suggestions he will be leaving the club, after he was quoted discussing his situation having recently lost his place in the team.
Agger, 28, lost his place in the team after missing the Man United League Cup defeat through injury. Since then, Brendan Rodgers has changed to three at the back, with Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho starting the last four Premier League games together.
An interview Agger gave to media back in Denmark quoted him as saying:
“If I don’t play. If the manager doesn’t think I’m good enough, that could make me leave Liverpool.
“I’m here to play football, nothing else. So if I don’t play football, then I don’t want to be here.”
The Liverpool vice-captain was linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer, but took to twitter to deny suggestions he will leave the club.
He wrote that he is “not going anywhere” and “will be back in the team soon”.
Liverpool’s superb 4-1 win over West Brom on Saturday may have been dominated by a mesmerising Luis Suarez display, but the performance of Jordan Henderson was once again excellent, as he continues his terrific start to the season.
It’s fair to say that, on the whole, the 23-year-old has had a tough time of things at Anfield since his big-money move from Sunderland in the summer of 2011. In his first two years at the club – barring a good spell towards the end of last season – he looked out of his depth, nervous and, to be blunt, a waste of money. Many people doubted him, this writer included, but he has been a revelation in the Reds opening nine league games to date, starting every one.
Whether it be in a central midfield role or at right wing-back filling in for Glen Johnson, Henderson has played with pace, power and a relentless work rate. Centrally, in particular, he has added drive to the side that has been lacking with Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva at times. He has also shown a terrific range of passing that in years gone by he seemed incapable of producing.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments regarding Henderson in his new book last week, in which he criticised his running style, were both uncalled for and lacking class, and there did seem to be an extra edge to the Englishman’s play on Saturday. Perhaps it is over dramatising things, but there appeared to almost be a hint of anger to his play and a desire to further prove the former Manchester United boss wrong.
One thing that Reds fans have to be slightly careful of is not going completely overboard about Henderson. As it stands, he is not the successor to Steven Gerrard in Liverpool’s midfield, and he will never reach the legendary heights of the 33-year-old skipper. He is also still not the finished article and could certainly improve both his decision making in key areas and his goal tally.
That said, he is certainly blossoming into the very fine player many expected him to during his teens. Back then he was regarded as one of the country’s most promising youngsters, with every top team in the country tracking his progress, United and Ferguson included. After two years of disappointment and ridicule from many, Henderson is now really coming into his own.
On Sky Sports’ recent Champions League coverage, Gary Neville was discussing Bayern Munich’s hugely effective forward Thomas Muller. The former United hate figure, who in fairness is a terrific pundit, described the German as “not a great player, but a player who makes a team great.” Despite the brilliance of world-class players like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben in Pep Guardiola’s side, Neville said Muller would be the first name on his team sheet.
This very much applies to Henderson at the moment, although not quite to that extent. Anybody perhaps only watching Liverpool fleetingly will look at the genius of Suarez, the goals of Daniel Sturridge and the undoubted class of Gerrard and not even give the former Sunderland man a mention. The reality is that Henderson has been one of Liverpool’s standout players so far this season without doubt.
Every great team- admittedly it’s far too early to be calling this current side “great”- needs someone like Henderson; a player who does the dirty work and the hard running, and is appreciated hugely by his teammates for the underrated work he does for the side. Dirk Kuyt was that man during Rafa Benitez’s best years at the club, while at other clubs there have been players like Gilberto Silva and Darren Fletcher who have been hugely understated but key men in excellent sides in years gone by.
At 23, Henderson is only going to improve with age. He will grow in stature and become more of a leader as the years pass, and will hopefully become a top, top player (sly dig at Fergie there) at Liverpool. If his form continues to flourish for the rest of the season, there is no reason why he can’t make the plane to Brazil for next summer’s World Cup.
It is great to see Henderson performing like he is and he really deserves the current adulation he is receiving. He has clearly worked incredibly hard on his game during the summer and is reaping the benefits. It’s not long ago at all that his days at the club appeared numbered, and he could easily have shied away and accepted his fate. He didn’t, however, and while players with less fight like Stewart Downing and Fabio Borini were shown the door, Henderson has got over his toughest spell and is now showing why Kenny Dalglish signed him for approximately £16m.
Here’s to Jordan Henderson: the ever-improving, likeable youngster playing a pivotal role in making Liverpool great again.
Henry Jackson
Follow me on twitter: @OnFootballTweet
Liverpool’s superb 4-1 win over West Brom on Saturday may have been dominated by a mesmerising Luis Suarez display, but the performance of Jordan Henderson was once again excellent, as he continues his terrific start to the season.
It’s fair to say that, on the whole, the 23-year-old has had a tough time of things at Anfield since his big-money move from Sunderland in the summer of 2011. In his first two years at the club – barring a good spell towards the end of last season – he looked out of his depth, nervous and, to be blunt, a waste of money. Many people doubted him, this writer included, but he has been a revelation in the Reds opening nine league games to date, starting every one.
Whether it be in a central midfield role or at right wing-back filling in for Glen Johnson, Henderson has played with pace, power and a relentless work rate. Centrally, in particular, he has added drive to the side that has been lacking with Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva at times. He has also shown a terrific range of passing that in years gone by he seemed incapable of producing.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments regarding Henderson in his new book last week, in which he criticised his running style, were both uncalled for and lacking class, and there did seem to be an extra edge to the Englishman’s play on Saturday. Perhaps it is over dramatising things, but there appeared to almost be a hint of anger to his play and a desire to further prove the former Manchester United boss wrong.
One thing that Reds fans have to be slightly careful of is not going completely overboard about Henderson. As it stands, he is not the successor to Steven Gerrard in Liverpool’s midfield, and he will never reach the legendary heights of the 33-year-old skipper. He is also still not the finished article and could certainly improve both his decision making in key areas and his goal tally.
That said, he is certainly blossoming into the very fine player many expected him to during his teens. Back then he was regarded as one of the country’s most promising youngsters, with every top team in the country tracking his progress, United and Ferguson included. After two years of disappointment and ridicule from many, Henderson is now really coming into his own.
On Sky Sports’ recent Champions League coverage, Gary Neville was discussing Bayern Munich’s hugely effective forward Thomas Muller. The former United hate figure, who in fairness is a terrific pundit, described the German as “not a great player, but a player who makes a team great.” Despite the brilliance of world-class players like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben in Pep Guardiola’s side, Neville said Muller would be the first name on his team sheet.
This very much applies to Henderson at the moment, although not quite to that extent. Anybody perhaps only watching Liverpool fleetingly will look at the genius of Suarez, the goals of Daniel Sturridge and the undoubted class of Gerrard and not even give the former Sunderland man a mention. The reality is that Henderson has been one of Liverpool’s standout players so far this season without doubt.
Every great team- admittedly it’s far too early to be calling this current side “great”- needs someone like Henderson; a player who does the dirty work and the hard running, and is appreciated hugely by his teammates for the underrated work he does for the side. Dirk Kuyt was that man during Rafa Benitez’s best years at the club, while at other clubs there have been players like Gilberto Silva and Darren Fletcher who have been hugely understated but key men in excellent sides in years gone by.
At 23, Henderson is only going to improve with age. He will grow in stature and become more of a leader as the years pass, and will hopefully become a top, top player (sly dig at Fergie there) at Liverpool. If his form continues to flourish for the rest of the season, there is no reason why he can’t make the plane to Brazil for next summer’s World Cup.
It is great to see Henderson performing like he is and he really deserves the current adulation he is receiving. He has clearly worked incredibly hard on his game during the summer and is reaping the benefits. It’s not long ago at all that his days at the club appeared numbered, and he could easily have shied away and accepted his fate. He didn’t, however, and while players with less fight like Stewart Downing and Fabio Borini were shown the door, Henderson has got over his toughest spell and is now showing why Kenny Dalglish signed him for approximately £16m.
Here’s to Jordan Henderson: the ever-improving, likeable youngster playing a pivotal role in making Liverpool great again.
Henry Jackson
Follow me on twitter: @OnFootballTweet
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