Why Martin Skrtel Should Return to Liverpool Defence for FA Cup vs. Aston Villa

Liverpool face Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley stadium on Sunday and manager Brendan Rodgers has some key selection questions ahead of the big match.

That's largely because experienced duo Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard are back available after each served three-match bans for their respective incidents in the loss to Manchester United last month.

Much of the pre-match talk will inevitably focus on Gerrard, the returning captain who has provided the media narrative since his announcement that he'll leave the club this summer. With the FA Cup final falling on his 35th birthday, much of the talk since January has been about how Liverpool must provide him the fairytale send off.

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But perhaps more important than Gerrard's return is that of defensive cornerstone Skrtel.

The Slovakia captain has been a key part of the Liverpool side this season, an almost ever present, starting 41 games.

He was one of the players who hugely benefited from the change in formation back in December, with the addition of ball-playing centre-backs Emre Can and Mamadou Sakho either side of him allowing Skrtel to focus on the stronger aspects of his game in the centre of defence.

The 30-year-old has been commanding, dominant and a leader at the back, revelling in the role at the centre of the three-man defence.

Change to Back Four

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But his suspension has seen Rodgers return to a back four in recent games against Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. Rodgers' hand was somewhat forced due to Skrtel's absence and injuries to other centre-backs, but after the defeats to Man United and Arsenal, plus the difficulties at Swansea City, there was a feeling that the 3-4-2-1 system had been somewhat found out.

Sakho started the Blackburn match but was replaced by Kolo Toure early on after suffering an injury. With Can then suspended, too, Toure and Dejan Lovren were the only centre-backs available for Rodgers.

Following that, the Newcastle game on Monday night saw Can restored and the young German lined up as a centre-back within a four-man defence for the first time since joining the club last summer, alongside Lovren.

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While Can impressed in the role, Lovren's decidedly shaky confidence was on display again—he was extremely fortunate not to concede a penalty after a calamitous attempt at a tackle on Ayoze Perez.

Alas, despite the defensive difficulties, especially in the second half against Newcastle, two clean sheets in a row were recorded with a back four in place.

So will Rodgers now continue with the back four and a 4-3-3 shape vs. Aston Villa? It seems likely, especially with Jordon Ibe—who would be favourite for the right wing-back role—cup tied.

Skrtel's Return

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the game on Friday, Rodgers praised Skrtel.

"Skrtel has been outstanding," he said, as per Carl Markham of the Press Association. "[It is] Great to have him back. First six months under me were difficult but he's great player."

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Rodgers: "It's great to have Martin Skrtel back available. He looks fit and strong. He's very well liked and respected at the club."

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) April 17, 2015"

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Liverpool's defence is better with Skrtel in it and Rodgers must find a way to accommodate his return.

But Skrtel's return will mean one of Can or Lovren dropping out from centre-back. There's the option to move Can into midfield, but that is unlikely with Lucas Leiva now back fit and occupying the holding role.

There is one alternative that would see Can remain in the side, with him replacing Glen Johnson—another who was poor vs. Newcastle—on the right side of defence.

Can played on the right of a back four last season with former club Bayer Leverkusen, and it's certainly a role he has the attributes for. It would also leave Liverpool the flexibility to easily switch to three at the back in-match.

A back four of Can, Skrtel, Lovren and Alberto Moreno does have balance, but it's also never been used before and would be a risk going into such an important game, especially with Christian Benteke in good form for the opponents. 

Alternatively, Rodgers could drop the fragile Lovren and partner Can and Skrtel together. Again, though, that has its risks involved, both are more comfortable as right-sided centre-backs and it's an untested partnership.

Whatever the manager does decide, it will be a boost to have Skrtel back in the heart of the Reds' defence. He may have had a poor start to the campaign, much like the rest of the team, but he's been impressive in recent months and his experience and leadership is a welcome return.