RAFA BENITEZ today rubbished claims that Martin Skrtel is unhappy with life at Anfield and is looking to leave Liverpool.
The Slovakian international defender is currently recovering from a serious knee injury and is hoping to be back in action in time for the Christmas fixtures.
But reports in the UK and Russian press suggest Skrtel is struggling to adjust to life on Merseyside and would welcome a return to former club Zenit St Petersburg.
Those claims have been dismissed out of hand by Reds boss Benitez, who insists the 24-year-old is settled and is enjoying life at Anfield.
“These sort of stories always tend to come out during an international week,” scoffed Benitez.
“I was talking with Martin at Melwood yesterday and it was clear that he is very happy and just wants to get back playing.
“He is working very hard to get himself fit again and he is very settled at Liverpool – both in the city and at the club.”
Skrtel is expected to return to action in around a month’s time after suffering knee ligament damage during Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Manchester City in early October.
Benitez was today awaiting the return of his international players ahead of Saturday’s home game against Fulham.
Initial reports suggest Liverpool suffered no new injury worries in last night’s round of international friendlies and the Reds boss was happy to see no fewer than five of his players feature for reigning European champions Spain.
Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa all appeared in Spain’s 3-0 win over Chile in Villarreal last night.
The Reds boss is notoriously cynical of the value of international friendlies at such a busy stage in the season, but was delighted to see a quintet of Redsl players in action for Europe’s best national team.
“It was good to see so many of our players involved because it shows how important Liverpool are,” he said. “I was especially pleased for Arbeloa and Riera because they are getting their reward for working hard and doing a good job for a good club.
“Hopefully the players will come back and be fit and ready for the game against Fulham because that is the most important thing for us now.”
The Slovakian international defender is currently recovering from a serious knee injury and is hoping to be back in action in time for the Christmas fixtures.
But reports in the UK and Russian press suggest Skrtel is struggling to adjust to life on Merseyside and would welcome a return to former club Zenit St Petersburg.
Those claims have been dismissed out of hand by Reds boss Benitez, who insists the 24-year-old is settled and is enjoying life at Anfield.
“These sort of stories always tend to come out during an international week,” scoffed Benitez.
“I was talking with Martin at Melwood yesterday and it was clear that he is very happy and just wants to get back playing.
“He is working very hard to get himself fit again and he is very settled at Liverpool – both in the city and at the club.”
Skrtel is expected to return to action in around a month’s time after suffering knee ligament damage during Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Manchester City in early October.
Benitez was today awaiting the return of his international players ahead of Saturday’s home game against Fulham.
Initial reports suggest Liverpool suffered no new injury worries in last night’s round of international friendlies and the Reds boss was happy to see no fewer than five of his players feature for reigning European champions Spain.
Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa all appeared in Spain’s 3-0 win over Chile in Villarreal last night.
The Reds boss is notoriously cynical of the value of international friendlies at such a busy stage in the season, but was delighted to see a quintet of Redsl players in action for Europe’s best national team.
“It was good to see so many of our players involved because it shows how important Liverpool are,” he said. “I was especially pleased for Arbeloa and Riera because they are getting their reward for working hard and doing a good job for a good club.
“Hopefully the players will come back and be fit and ready for the game against Fulham because that is the most important thing for us now.”
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