Skrtel on Agger partnership
Martin Skrtel has spoken about his blossoming partnership at centre back with Daniel Agger and explained why he believes they can get even better in 2012 as the Reds look to bring success back to Anfield.
The pair have started the last six Barclays Premier League games alongside each other but the Slovakian is well aware of the quality ready to step in from the sidelines.
"Daniel is a top quality player and is easy to play alongside," Skrtel told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We have a very good understanding on the pitch which is important and we are working hard and enjoying our job. I think we are doing well together.
"Our squad is now very strong. That is very important for the team because we have a lot of games in front of us, especially January when we have cup matches as well, so we need everybody fresh."
Skrtel and Agger were both at their imperious best as the Reds returned to winning ways on home turf against Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
Luis Suarez netted the only goal of the game against Neil Warnock's outfit and Skrtel insists he is more than grateful to have the Uruguayan star on his side.
"It was important for us to keep a clean sheet against QPR and we have been working hard on defending as a team," he added.
"A clean sheet always gives the defence and Pepe a lot of confidence.
"It was very important to get back to winning ways at home against QPR. We created a lot of chances again and Luis got the important goal to get us three points.
"Luis is just a great player and it is very difficult playing against him on the training ground so I know what it's like for the opposition to face him.
"He is so competitive in training, every single session. I try not to let him score but that is not easy I can tell you as he is very difficult to mark!"
Liverpool's No.37 also revealed how happy he is at L4 and the confidence Kenny Dalglish has given him since returning to the club for a second spell in the Anfield hot-seat.
"I'm really enjoying my football under the manager," said Skrtel.
"The atmosphere around the club is very good and he has played me in almost every single game which gives me a lot of confidence.
"I'm happy I am playing and I am working as hard as I can to stay in the team."
Dalglish's charges now start a busy run of games around Christmas with Sunday's trip to Villa Park to take on an Aston Villa side that returned to winning ways themselves last weekend with a 2-1 victory at Bolton.
The game will see Stewart Downing return to the Midlands and the winger of course scored the goal that beat Liverpool for Villa in the final game of 2010-11.
Skrtel said: "It will be a special game for Stewart going back to his former club. He did very well at Villa and I'm sure he will get a good welcome.
"He scored against us in the final game of last season so it would be great if he could do that again for us this time.
"We have a lot of games around Christmas which is a very important period for us. There are a lot of points to play for and we need to get as many wins as we can, starting with Villa.
"They are not an easy side to play against. You always get a difficult game at Aston Villa but we will be up for the fight and do everything we can to get the three points."
Skrtel will come up against Darren Bent who has a decent scoring record against Liverpool, having netted against them twice for Sunderland in a 2-2 Anfield draw in September 2010.
Now in the claret and blue shirt, Skrtel and co will have to be on red alert against the England forward.
"Darren Bent is a great player, an England international striker," said Skrtel.
"We have to keep an eye on him all of the time and stop him from scoring against us."