Martin Skrtel believes Liverpool are the right club to harness the potential of fellow centre-half Sebastian Coates.
The Uruguayan has featured just three times for the Reds since signing in the summer for £7m with Coates’ last outing his most encouraging appearance to date.
Although the 21-year-old’s mistake led to Stoke City opening the scoring in last month’s Carling Cup fourth round tie at the Britannia Stadium, the Montevideo-born player was otherwise outstanding against Tony Pulis’ uncompromising outfit.
Skrtel – who partnered the former Nacional defender in the second half of that 2-1 win – says making errors is part and parcel of the learning process and Coates’ development is safe under the stewardship of Kenny Dalglish.
“He's doing well,” Skrtel said.
“I know he made a mistake against Stoke, but that's part of being a footballer.
"Every player who has ever played has made a mistake at some time. He was unlucky because the other team scored from it.
"I think it's good for him to be at a club like this at such a young age.
“For a youngster to be training with people like Stevie, Suarez, Carra and more can only help him. I think he will become better and better.”
Whilst Coates is in the early stage of his defensive development, Skrtel believes he is not far away from coming into the peak years of his career.
The Slovakian international also believes the cut throat nature of the Premier League can fast track the progress of a defender.
“I'm 27 in December so I hope so,” said Skrtel on the theory that defenders reach their optimum around 30 years of age. “As I said about Sebastian, I think you become a better player as you gain more experience. Hopefully that will be the case for me too.
“In English football you get very little time on the ball, away from home sometimes you don't even get a single second.
“Almost every team has at least one big striker. I enjoy competing against them, challenging and making tackles. It's not possible to win the ball every time but it's always my aim.”
Though impressed with Coates and confident he will prove a major signing for Liverpool, Skrtel was most delighted to see Stewart Downing join the Reds in the summer.
“I was very happy when we signed Stewart Downing because it means I won't have to play against him! I remember one game against Boro away. I played at right-back, it was the first time I ever played there and he was on the left wing. It was a difficult day for me. He is a very good player.”
No comments:
Post a Comment