Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Reds Doomed for Poor Year if Martin Skrtel Leaves

Liverpool must hold on to center-back Martin Skrtel if they hope to improve upon last season’s disappointing finish.

According to the Daily Mail, Italian club Napoli is eyeing the Slovak after netting £24 million by sending Ezequiel Lavezzi off to Paris St. Germaine. 

Skrtel was one of the few bright spots for Liverpool. He led a defense that was actually quite strong throughout the season. Only Manchester United and Manchester City allowed fewer goals last year.

He stands at 6’3” tall and is an imposing presence along the back line. He is strong in the air and a fierce tackler.

He is the best center-defender that the Reds have on the roster and it would be a major blow to the start of Brendan Rodgers’ tenure if he were to leave.

Star striker Luis Suarez praised Skrtel and said, “Right now, I would say Martin Skrtel is the best I have played with. Martin is a brilliant defender and this season I think he has been at his best,” via the Liverpool Daily Post.

Rodgers’ primary focus this season has been to add players around Suarez and bolster the attack. He is right to take such action—as Liverpool ranked 11^th in the English Premier League in goals scored—but he must also ensure that he does not lose any players. 

The Reds’ roster is already thin enough and losing a start like Skrtel would doom the team to another finish near the middle of the table.

If the 27-year-old moves to Serie A, that would leave Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher as the primary center-backs. Liverpool would undoubtedly suffer from an increase in goals allowed if this is the case.

Rodgers would almost certainly sign another center-half if Skrtel leaves Anfield, but this would create an unnecessary amount of work and risk. 

The new manager has failed to make an impact signing so far, and he would need to add a quality player at center- back and in the midfield if this rumor turns into news.

Even if Rodgers does pull that off, he will have to start the season with new players in key positions on both offense and defense. There will be a learning curve as these players adjust to unfamiliar surroundings.

Allowing Skrtel to leave would create a huge headache for Rodgers—and he already has enough on his plate. Liverpool must keep Skrtel happy and promptly turn away any offers for the center-back.