Martin Skrtel will return to Anfield for the first time in six years. when he will play for Liverpool Legends next month.
The Slovakian defender is set to play in Sir Kenny’s squad. Dalglish in Legends of the North against Manchester United on Saturday, September 24 (kick-off at 9pm)
Skrtel, who scored 320 goals for the Reds between 2008 and 2016, retired from professional football earlier this year. But has maintained his fitness level playing for the amateur team in Slovakia as a centre-forward.
Liverpoolfc.com has captured the 37-year-old former player to discuss the upcoming legendary game. his retirement and adjustments to the club under Jürgen Klopp.
Read the full interview below…
Martin, you will return to Anfield this month to play your first game for Liverpool Legends. how excited are you?
I’m really excited about it. Because it’s the first time since I left Liverpool that I’m back at Anfield. And of course, playing for Liverpool again is special. Anyway, it’s a legendary game. But I can’t wait to be honest.
Because this is the first time you will be back at Anfield after a while. How much do you miss that place??
So much, when I was playing football, I was very busy and didn’t have time to come back to watch the game. or do something But obviously I follow the club, follow the team, that’s how I am. And still watching every game when you’ve spent almost nine years (there) clubs, teams and city still in your mind. i miss the club i miss the place And finally I’m back here. I think we can say that we are coming back to[our]second home because my son was born in Liverpool. And we spent nine years here. It will always be my second home.
You just quit early this year. which you believe yourself to be one of the freshest?
I try to be! I quit playing because I had a big problem in my back. and I can practice and play day by day But it’s clearly more than two months. And I had to undergo some treatments to fix my back problems. During this time, it is slowly We are getting better and better every day. I started playing here. (in Slovakia) like in the Sunday League with the village where I was born. I played two games and it was okay, I tried to keep myself fit. And when I had the opportunity to play for a legendary game like this I started preparing myself a little bit seriously. because if you come to Anfield You must be ready to play.
you found sundaes how is the league?
When I moved out of Slovakia when I was 19 years before I went to Russia. I promised a friend that day that when I retired from professional football, I will go back to that village. And when I quit I get calls from him almost every day and he tries to beg me.
I played two games And we’ll see how much more I can play. I’m 37, but I’m the second youngest in my team. which is very funny I have also changed locations. Because I played like No. 9 or Falls Nine, now you play mostly for fun. and play with friends who have not seen
Did you score a goal when you switched up to stand tall??
I scored three goals! I played two games and made three goals
How did you feel the first few months after you quit playing? Not practicing every day and stuff like this?
It was a strange feeling. Because obviously I have been playing professional football for more than 20 years and I do it as a routine. But this summer is something special. because I haven’t been on vacation for two months. But it’s also difficult. Because I quit playing, in my head I wasn’t ready to quit. because I want to keep playing But of course I can’t.
So the first few weeks were really tough for me because I still thought maybe trying to do something. Trying to do more But I talked to a few doctors. And so many experts, everyone told me I had to quit. because my back is not ready to play or practice every day it is difficult But now I’m trying to have fun with myself. I try to have fun with my family. and my son and try to find something to do Of course, when I’m sitting at home with nothing to do. you will start for But this time I’m ok And we’ll wait and see what happens in the future.
You mentioned that you continued to follow Liverpool after you retired. What do you see how the club has changed under Klopp?? You were there when it started…
As a fan, I’m just happy about what Jürgen brings to the club. because since entering I think everything has changed. And so are the trophies that come in. And this is the most important thing. in the past years Liverpool have become what they deserve. being part of the team and the best club in the world We have to say that the main part in this is Jurgen. Not only him but also the players, the club, the fans and everyone, I’m happy. Because obviously I’ve been there for nine years. And it’s not as successful as Liverpool are now. But when you are a swan child You will always be a swan boy. I am very happy with the developments the club has made over the years.
Did you know that something special was going to happen after Klopp joined the team in October 2015??
I know him from when he was with Borussia Dortmund, not personally. but as a coach He was very successful there. He was very successful in Mainz. So we know there’s a good manager coming to the club. He has an outstanding character. He knows how to work with people. He knows how to work with the players to get them ready for the game. stimulating them Everything combined – him, the players, the club, the fans – that’s why Liverpool have been so successful in this moment.
What do you think of the current team?? in your position The team is full of world-class centre-halves…
I’d rather be a manager if I had players like Virgil, Matip, Konate, Joe Gomez and Phillips. It might be the team with the best position in the world. They are top players. And I would like to be involved if I had a manager. and players like them