'Reds deserve to be in Champions League'
Martin Skrtel knows how it feels to represent Liverpool at the highest level of European football – and that's why he believes a return to the Champions League is vital for the club.
The Slovakian arrived on Merseyside in January 2008, and two months later he was at the bedrock of a Reds side that clinched a famous 1-0 victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro.
A year on, he played home and away as Rafael Benitez's men dismantled Real Madrid with a 5-0 aggregate victory to move into the quarter-finals of the competition.
In total, the centre-back made 17 appearances in the tournament over the course of three seasons - and Skrtel insists Anfield on a European night is an occasion that must return next season.
"Liverpool is a massive club with massive support, not only in this city but all around the world," Skrtel told Liverpoolfc.com.
"So I think the players, the people working around the club and the fans deserve to be in the best competition in the world.
"I think the Champions League is the best competition and we will do everything and fight to get into the top four and qualify for the Champions League."
If the Reds are to achieve their goal, Skrtel and his fellow central defenders will have an integral part to play - and one man who could be key is Mamadou Sakho, who has partnered the No.37 during the last four Barclays Premier League games.
The powerful Frenchman, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, has settled effortlessly into the side, according to Skrtel.
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He said: "Mamadou has adapted to English football and the Premier League well. He is still young but he's a very experienced player having played many games for PSG.
"He's an international player and if he asks me for something, or any help I am always open to talk and always there to help him, but he's an experienced player and he has shown that on the pitch.
"We have played a few games together now, when we played the three at the back system or two together, so we know each other well.
"I have to say it's not only about us two because we have Daniel Agger, Kolo Toure and Tiago Ilori and all of us can play at centre-back. That is the question for the manager, but I'm sure everyone will do their best to help the team."