NewsMartin Skrtel announces retirement from football

The Slovakian will call time on his career following his current club Spartak Trnava’s final game of the current season, at home to DAC 1904 this weekend.

Skrtel joined the Reds from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2008 and went on to make 320 appearances for the club across an eight-and-a-half-year stay at Anfield.

The centre-back also provided 18 goals, including one in the 2012 League Cup final as he helped Liverpool lift the trophy at Wembley under Kenny Dalglish.

Skrtel was also part of the Reds teams that finished second in the Premier League under Rafael Benitez in 2008-09 and Brendan Rodgers in 2013-14 respectively.

He featured for Jürgen Klopp following his appointment as manager in October 2015 and departed Merseyside to join Fenerbahce in the summer of 2016.

“Because of long-time back problems it’s impossible for me to keep playing,” Skrtel posted on social media. “That’s why I had to make such a decision.

“I want to thank all football clubs, coaches, [teammates] and all fans of all clubs from all countries where I’ve ever played. Certainly, I want to thank all my friends and especially my family.

“Thanks to my wife, son, parents [and] relatives for staying by me and supporting me all these years. Thank you a lot.”