Ex-Liverpool defender Phil Babb thinks “it could be curtains” for Martin Skrtel at the club after the Slovakian international put in a poor performance in the 3-2 loss to Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
Skrtel made his first senior appearance for Liverpool after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-0 loss to Watford in late December when he replaced Dejan Lovren at half-time against the Saints.
The centre-back, whose team were leading 2-0 at that time, made his first error just three minutes into the second half as he fouled Graziano Pelle inside the box.
Southampton failed to take advantage of the spot-kick, however, Ronald Koeman’s team scored three goals between the 64th and 86th minutes, with Skrtel being at fault for two of those.
And Babb, who explained that Liverpool’s defence was solid in Skrtel’s absence in recent weeks, feels the 31-year-old will now find it hard to return to the starting line-up even if the club are hit with injuries.
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“When you've got your chance back in the team you take it and I don't think Martin Skrtel has”, he said on LFC TV after the match.
“It could be curtains for him because he has had such a negative impact on the defensive unit that has been solid.
“You just can't see him getting back in the side, even with injuries now and fatigue, you would be looking at putting Lucas [Leiva] into the back four and you've got Kolo Toure.
“You just can't see where Skrtel is going to get back in now.”
