Friday, October 10, 2008

Skrtel: I Thought I Was Finished


Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel initially thought that his career was over after his knee buckled during the game at Manchester City on Sunday.

Martin Skrtel felt his knee collapse underneath him during the 3-2 comeback win and knew something "terrible" had happened. The Reds were concerned at that point as they'd already used their three substitutions and were left with the task of completing their amazing comeback with just ten men.

At the time, though, the stopper admits that he thought his career was over.

Fortunately for Skrtel and Liverpool, the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee didn't tear completely, meaning that the 23-year-old Slovak international could be back as soon as Christmas.

It's a massive boost for the player, who initially feared he could be out for the rest of the season, if not for the rest of his prospective career.

"The pain was unbearable," he told the Daily Mail. "I can’t remember a lot about the moment – but it was terrible. I thought that was the end for me.

"I have never suffered anything like that before, but I remained conscious and they gave me oxygen to help with the pain."

The Reds' No.37 underwent a scan on Monday morning, before a specialist gave him the good news in midweek. The shellshocked player continued: "I almost ripped the ligament fully. If I had done that, I would have been out for eight months.

"But now it will be more like eight weeks if I’m lucky, when I should be able to start training again."

Skrtel has done well to force his way into Rafael Benitez's first team plans since his January move from Zenit St. Petersburg and will hope to pick up where he left off over the festive period.

No comments: