Martin Skrtel has been an integral part of Liverpool’s defense since joining the club in 2008, but all of that could change before the upcoming season.
Skrtel, 30, had been offered a new contract to stay at Anfield amid rumours that he was garnering interest from other European clubs, but he has declined Liverpool’s latest offer, citing it as “unacceptable.” The Reds will need to rethink before they put another offer on the table to the Slovakian, with a few extra spins added to the deal.
Skrtel has stated that his contract appears to be made for an older player with fitness issues, while Skrtel feels that he is still young and healthy.
After starting in 48 of Liverpool’s 58 matches this season, there is no denying Skrtel’s durability but more importantly, there’s no denying his importance to the center of Liverpool’s defense.
The Slovakian has had a bumpy road at the club, but he really blossomed and cemented his spot in the team with his performances in Brendan Rodgers’ back three. With only one year left on his current contract, he is one player Liverpool absolutely cannot afford to lose.
With Mamadou Sakho’s injury problems, Dejan Lovren’s lack of consistency, and Emre Can’s probable move to the midfield mean Liverpool need to put aside any worry about Skrtel’s age and fitness and give the man who has been their “rock” in the central defense a proper deal, or else, face the consequences come the beginning of the new campaign.
