Sunday, 26th May, 2013
Martin Skrtel has opened the door to leaving Liverpool, admitting he has been unhappy with his situation at the club and will consider offers should they arrive this summer.
The Slovak international saw himself relegated to the bench at Anfield for the second half of the campaign, as manager Brendan Rodgers preferred 35-year-old defensive stalwart Jamie Carragher.
Carragher has now retired from football, leaving Liverpool needing to reshuffle their defensive pack.
And it is far from clear whether Skrtel will be part of the Reds’ push to claim a top four spot in the Premier League in 2013/14.
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"With Liverpool I still have a contract which is valid, I have a plan and guidelines and I have to report for training on 2nd July. So at this point I will start training with Liverpool and then we will see what to do next", Skrtel told Dennik Sport.
Asked what the chances are that he will remain at Anfield, Skrtel replied: "According to what I have read in the papers, pretty big. But that was a statement from one party."
Pressed on what his view is then, he said: "The other side is still silent on this. I still have a three-year contract that I signed just last year. The truth is however, after the events of the second half of the season, I was thinking of leaving already."
But the Slovak stopper stressed that he has not received any offers yet, although if he does, he will consider them.
"I do not have specific offers.
"However, if some came my way, I’d probably think about it."
Skrtel does accept though that Liverpool will have the final say on his future, and hinted he may not be willing to throw away the status he has earned that easily.
"The key word will come from the club, since I have a contract with them. Moreover, I am not saying that I must go at all costs. I’m sorry about what happened this season, but I’ve been here for five and a half years, and in that time I’ve built up a certain position."
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