'We can handle Europa run'
Martin Skrtel insists a prolonged Europa League run won't be detrimental to Liverpool's Barclays Premier League form – though he's refusing to look beyond tonight's clash with Hearts.
The Reds will play 19 matches if they're to go all the way to next May's Amsterdam final - including tonight's play-off first-leg encounter at Tyncastle.
However, Skrtel , who won't figure for Brendan Rodgers' men in Edinburgh, believes Liverpool have the squad to mount challenges on all fronts this campaign.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "We have a strong squad with more than 25 quality players and everyone can play. It's not a problem.
"Everyone is enjoying playing the games and it's no difference if you're playing Premier League or Europa League because everyone is enjoying playing for this club.
"There's a long way to go. It is August now and we've got plenty of games to play and we cannot look at games in May - we have to look at the next game tonight and get a good result."
Skrtel will be cheering on Liverpool from his Merseyside home tonight -and he's desperate for his teammates to secure a positive result.
The Slovakia defender admits he's missed the experience of European nights at Anfield.
"I think everybody has missed European football," he said. "This season we'll play in the Europa League which is a great competition for us and I'm glad we got through against Gomel.
"Now the next round is in front of us and we want to get through to the group stage.
"European nights at Anfield are always special. The atmosphere is unbelievable. That's something you'll always remember and I definitely want to experience this atmosphere again."