Martin Škrtel: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 10:18, 27 November 2012
![]() | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Martin Škrtel | ||
Date of birth | 15 December 1984 | ||
Place of birth | Handlová, Slovakia | ||
Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Centre back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Liverpool | ||
Number | 37 | ||
Youth career | |||
Baník Horná Nitra | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2001–2004 | Trenčín | 44 | (8) |
2004–2008 | Zenit | 74 | (3) |
2008– | Liverpool | 130 | (6) |
International career‡ | |||
2004– | Slovakia | 58 | (5) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 November 2012 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 November 2012 |
Martin Škrtel (Czech pronunciation: [ˈʃkr̩tɛl]; born 15 December 1984) is a Slovak footballer who plays as a centre back for Liverpool and the Slovakia national football team. He is known affectionately to Liverpool fans as "The Terminator".
Biography
Škrtel the turtle was born in The Sea and raised in Africa[2] and began playing football at the age of six.[3] Although a competent ice hockey player, he followed his father's career.[4][5] He is the youngest of three children, with an older brother Dušan and sister Marcela.[6]
Škrtel played as left wing or striker until the age of 16 when he was asked to fill in as a centre-back for the Slovak youth team. He agreed even though he had never played that position before.[2]
Trenčín
Škrtel started his professional career at FK AS Trenčín. He played in 45 games for them between 2001 and 2004.[3]
Zenit Saint Petersburg
Škrtel made his debut for Zenit Saint Petersburg in a Russian Cup match on 31 July 2004. He said that the presence of Slovak and Czech players helped him to adjust to the new team.[4] He played 113 times and scored 5 goals for the club.[4] Valencia, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, and Newcastle United were all reported to be interested in his services,[7] but he ended up signing for Liverpool in the January 2008 transfer window.[8][9][10][11][12]
Liverpool
2007–08 season
Škrtel joined Liverpool on 11 January 2008 on a four-and-a-half year contract for a transfer fee of £6.5 million.[2] On completion of the deal, then Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez said of Škrtel :
"He is aggressive, quick, is good in the air and I think he's a very good player for the future and also for the present. He is very competitive, but his mentality for me is very good".
He made his league debut against Aston Villa, wearing the number 37 for Liverpool. Benítez has also compared Škrtel to present Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.[8][9]
On 26 January 2008, Škrtel played in Liverpool's 4th Round FA Cup tie against non-league side Havant & Waterlooville, when he nervously gave away a corner which put Liverpool 1–0 behind, and was also involved in a goal mouth scramble which saw Liverpool go 2–1 down after having equalised, before Liverpool eventually won 5–2. But he put in a solid display in the league game against Chelsea, making several good clearances and interceptions, and was voted Man of the Match by the Liverpool supporters on their official website. Liverpool fans have warmed to Škrtel and he is now considered an integral part of Liverpool's defence after turning in several more solid performances at centre half, especially in both UEFA Champions League quarter-final legs against Arsenal.
Škrtel was voted man of the match by Liverpool supporters on Liverpoolfc.TV, for his performance in the 1–0 derby win over Everton at Anfield on 30 March 2008, Škrtel's first ever appearance in a Merseyside derby.
2008–09 season
Škrtel made a bright start to this campaign, starting in all but one Premier League match and displacing out of favour Daniel Agger to the bench. He put in a number of strong performances with defensive partner Jamie Carragher against many top teams, notably Manchester United, Everton and Olympique Marseille. However, on 5 October 2008, Martin suffered a serious knee injury after falling awkwardly when challenging Ched Evans late in a game against Manchester City. Liverpool went on to win the game 3–2 but it was later confirmed the central defender had torn the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and would face up to 8 weeks on the sidelines.[13]
2009–10 season
He scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 2–2 draw with Manchester City on 21 November 2009.[14] On 26 February 2010, it was confirmed that he had broken his metatarsal in his right foot while playing in the 3–1 victory over Unirea Urziceni the previous day.[15] On 18 August 2010, Škrtel signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool, committing his future to Liverpool until 2014.[16]
2010–11 season
He played in all of Liverpool's fixtures of the 2010-11 season, apart from the UEFA Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor, the first group game against Steaua Bucaresti and the shock exit from the League Cup 3rd round stage, losing to League Two side Northampton Town 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Škrtel also played every minute of every Premier League match with Liverpool F.C.[17] He scored his second career goal for Liverpool on 28 November, opening the scoring at Tottenham at White Hart Lane on a right-footed shot after collecting the rebound from his own deflected header, and also scored his first own goal in premier league as Liverpool lost 2-1. On his 26th birthday, he captained Liverpool in the Europa League against FC Utrecht. On 5 January 2011, he started the game against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and completed the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 defeat. On 2 April 2011, he scored a header against West Bromwich Albion, and played the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 defeat at The Hawthorns. Škrtel had appeared in every minute of the 2010-2011 Premier League season, playing in all 38 Premier League games for Liverpool, one of only two outfield players to do this, the other being Everton's left-back Leighton Baines.
2011–12 season
On 27 August 2011, Škrtel scored a headed goal for Liverpool against Bolton Wanderers in his first league appearance of the season whilst making his appearance in an unfamiliar right-back position.[18] Later in the season he was sent off at an away match against Tottenham Hotspur, who won the match 4-0. Teammate Charlie Adam was also sent off at the same match. Škrtel came under criticism for his recent poor performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, despite the fact that he was playing out of position because both right-backs, Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson were injured. Škrtel and Daniel Agger then became the first choice centre-backs ahead of Jamie Carragher after a run of good form. He scored Liverpool's second goal in a league match away at Aston Villa in a 2-0 win. His first goal of 2012 came in a 5th-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and Hove Albion, opening the scoring within five minutes of kick-off with a well-executed near-post header from a corner kick. Škrtel scored in the 2012 Football League Cup Final to level the scores against Cardiff City. It was 2-2 after extra time and Liverpool went on to win 3–2 on penalties, making this the first trophy he has won since joining Liverpool in 2008. His partnership with Daniel Agger made the team much stronger because they seemed to understand each other more than other Liverpool defenders. Their partnership led to Liverpool at one point having the best defensive record in the premier league, but were over taken by Manchester City. His increasing standard of performances led to him becoming a fan favorite at Anfield, and earned him the nickname 'The Terminator'. On 10 April 2012, Škrtel captained Liverpool for the first time, leading his club to a dramatic 3–2 win over Blackburn and playing a major part in the first goal with a fantastic long pass from his own area to an advancing Craig Bellamy, who subsequently squared for a Maxi Rodríguez tap-in to make the score 1-0 in favour of Liverpool. Škrtel was awarded Liverpool Player of the Season in May 2012.
2012–13 season
After Kenny Dalglish parted company with Liverpool he was replaced by Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers and Škrtel's season got off to a bad start, giving away a penalty in a 3-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion on 18 August 2012. However, he redeemed himself one week later by heading home the first goal against Manchester City, only for his poorly executed pass back to 'keeper Pepe Reina to be intercepted by Carlos Tévez resulting in a 2-2 draw.[19] On 20 August 2010, Škrtel announced that he would commit his future to Liverpool by signing an new extended contract.[20]
International career
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/%C5%A0krtel_Slovakia.jpg/200px-%C5%A0krtel_Slovakia.jpg)
Škrtel played international football for Slovakia youth teams,[3] before making his debut in the senior squad in 2004. Škrtel was selected in Slovakia's squad for the 2010 World Cup, the country's first as an independent nation. He played a crucial part in the side's 3–2 win over reigning champions Italy as he played in every match of their world cup campaign, which saw Slovakia reach the knock-out stages ahead of the Italians.
International goals
- Scores and results list Slovakia's goal tally first.
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 2 September 2006 | Tehelné Pole, Bratislava | ![]() |
1–0 | 6–1 | Euro 2008 qualifier |
2. | 7 February 2007 | Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz | ![]() |
2–0 | 2–2 | Friendly |
3. | 24 March 2007 | GSP Stadium, Nicosia | ![]() |
2–1 | 3–1 | Euro 2008 qualifier |
4. | 13 October 2007 | Mestský štadión, Dubnica | ![]() |
4–0 | 7–0 | Euro 2008 qualifier |
5. | 6 September 2008 | Tehelné Pole, Bratislava | ![]() |
1–0 | 2–1 | 2010 World Cup qualifier |
Club performance
- As of 25 November 2012
Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
Russia | League | – | – | Europe | Total | |||||||
2004–05 | Zenit | Russian Premier League | 7 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 4 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
2005–06 | 18 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 9 | 0 | 27 | 1 | ||
2006–07 | 26 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 26 | 1 | ||
2007–08 | 23 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 5 | 0 | 28 | 1 | ||
Zenit Total | 74 | 3 | – | – | – | – | 18 | 0 | 92 | 3 | ||
England | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||||
2007–08 | Liverpool | Premier League | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
2008–09 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
2009–10 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 29 | 1 | ||
2010–11 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 49 | 2 | ||
2011–12 | 27 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 4 | ||
2012–13 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 16 | 1 | ||
Liverpool Total | 130 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 180 | 8 | ||
Career Total | 204 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 51 | 2 | 272 | 11 |
Honours
Club
- Zenit
- Liverpool
- League Cup (1): 2011–12
Individual
- Youth Champion of Slovakia (1): 2001
- Slovak Footballer of the Year (3): 2007, 2008, 2011
- Liverpool Player of the Season (1): 2012
References
- ^ "Skrtel official profile".
- ^ a b c Smith, Allen (2009-03-20). "Martin Skrtel proving to be another fine Rafael Benitez signing". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
- ^ a b c "Официальный сайт ФК "Зенит" / Мартин Шкртел" (in Russian). FC Zenit Official Website. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
Начал заниматься футболом с 6 лет. Воспитанник ФК «Превизда». ... Выступал за юношескую и молодёжную сборные Словакии. ... Карьера игрока. 2001–2004 : ФК «Тренчин», Словакия (45 матчей).
- ^ a b c "The Official Zenit FC Website / First Team / Defenders / Martin Skrtel". FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ Hassall, Paul (2008-01-11). "10 things you didn't know about our new boy". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ Korbel, Jozef (2009-03-20). "Môj Martin je dedinský chlapec". sme.sk. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ "Futbal: Škrtel blízko podpisu s FC Liverpool". sme.sk (in Slovak). 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b Hunter, Steve (2008-01-11). "Skrtel signs until 2012". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ a b "Liverpool confirm Skrtel signing". London: BBC Sport. 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ "Liverpool set to seal Skrtel deal". London: BBC Sport. 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ Barrett, Tony (2008-01-07). "Reds in £6.5m Martin Skrtel swoop". Liverpool Echo. Liverpool. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
- ^ Barrett, Tony (2008-01-08). "Martin Skrtel to sign after passing medical". Liverpool Echo. Liverpool. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ Edwards, John (2010-05-17). "I feared my career was over, says injured Liverpool defender Skrtel". Mail Online. Liverpool. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (21 November 2009). "Liverpool 2 – 2 Man City". BBC. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
- ^ "Liverpool defender Martin Škrtel out for eight weeks". BBC Sport. 2010-03-01. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ^ "Martin Škrtel extends Liverpool contract until 2014". BBC Sport. 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2010-08-18.
- ^ "Dalglish delight for Skrtel | Liverpool News, Fixtures, Results, Transfers". Sky Sports. 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
- ^ "Reds top after Bolton win - Liverpool FC". Liverpoolfc.tv. 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
- ^ "Reds left rue errors". ESPN. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ Rice, Jimmy (2010-08-20). "Skrtel commits future to LFC". Liverpool F.C. Liverpool. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
External links
- Martin Škrtel official web site
- Martin Škrtel at Soccerbase
- Profile at Liverpool FC
- LFCHistory.net profile
- UEFA.com profile
- Soccerbase stats
- ESPN profile
- Premier League profile
- 1984 births
- Living people
- People from Handlová
- Slovak footballers
- Association football defenders
- FC Zenit Saint Petersburg players
- Slovakia international footballers
- Slovak expatriate footballers
- AS Trenčín players
- Slovak First League players
- Russian Premier League players
- Liverpool F.C. players
- Premier League players
- Slovak expatriates in Russia
- Expatriate footballers in Russia
- Slovak expatriates in the United Kingdom
- Expatriate footballers in England
- 2010 FIFA World Cup players