<table border="3" width="100%" id="table1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="0"><!--
--> <tr><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><!--
--> <p align="center"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">Season</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">TD</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CAS</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CMP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">INT</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">SPP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="40%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">Awards</font></b></td><!--
--> </tr><!--
--> <tr><!-- STATS FOR SEASON
--> <td bgcolor="#000000" align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b><!-- INSERT SEASON NUMBER-->All</b></font></td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT TDS-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CAS-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CMP-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT INT-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT SPP-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT AWARDS--><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/186435.jpg" alt="Season 3 Veteran"><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/214243.jpg" alt="Season 4 Veteran"> </td><!--
--> </tr><!-- END OF SEASON STATS
--> </table>
Slovak international Martin Skrtel arrived at Anfield in January 2008 with a reputation for being a no-nonsense centre-back.

His signature followed a long search by Rafa Benitez for defensive cover, with Skrtel expected to battle it out with Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger for a place at the heart of Liverpool's defence.

The 6ft 4 defender began his career with FC Previdza after choosing football over hockey. From there he enjoyed a spell with FC Trencin before moving to the Russian Premier League with FC Zenit in 2004.

Skrtel's performances during 113 games led to international recognition and interest from a host of European clubs including Valencia, Everton and Spurs.

But it was the Reds who eventually clinched his signature and the Slovak made his debut as a second-half sub against Aston Villa on January 21, 2008.