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HOW times have changed for Martin Skrtel. Four years ago today the Slovakia international became the most expensive defender in Liverpool FC’s history when he signed for £6.5milllion from Russian side Zenit St Petersberg.

After a brief cameo against Aston Villa, the centre-back was handed his full debut by Rafa Benitez against non-league minnows Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup at Anfield.

What followed was an embarrassing baptism of fire. Skrtel was a bag of nerves and having been culpable for Havant’s opener, his own goal allowed the part-timers to lead for a second time.

A second-half onslaught ensured Liverpool won the fourth round tie 5-2 but supporters went away fearing the club had bought a dud.

As the 27-year-old prepares to make his 150th appearance for the Reds against Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg tonight, those fears have long since disappeared.

Over the past 12 months Skrtel has arguably been Kenny Dalglish’s most consistent performer but that tough start to life in England is still fresh in the memory.

“It was very difficult at first,” Skrtel said. “I came from Russia and everything was different. The game here was much harder.

“The Premier League is the best competition in the world and it is not easy to settle down. I joined one of the biggest clubs in the world and I needed to learn everything.

“The first month was hard. I couldn’t speak English so I couldn’t understand the lads and that was the first thing I tried to sort out.

“On the pitch I didn’t start well either. After the Havant game I went back to my hotel and I knew it was not my best performance. I knew the people were talking about me, saying that I wasn’t good enough for Liverpool and that the club had paid a lot of money for me.

“But I knew I could play better and I knew I had to go away and work hard in training. It was important that Rafa said to me: ‘Don’t worry about this game. Look ahead to the next game, I will give you a chance and you have to show you are a better player’.

“I was thinking about the Sunderland game and I tried to keep my head clear and focus on that. We got a clean sheet and it was important for me. After this I just wanted to try and show that I was good enough to play for Liverpool and I have worked at that.”

Skrtel admits he’s currently enjoying the best form of his career. He was rested for last Friday’s FA Cup tie with Oldham but is set to return to the side tonight.

The defender believes working with Dalglish and first team coach Steve Clarke over the past year has helped take his game to a new level and won him an army of admirers.

“Yes, maybe I can say this is the best period in my career and definitely since I came here to Liverpool,” he said. “I am just trying to do the best on the pitch, try to enjoy the game and I am thinking positively.

“We work a lot in training on defending with Steve and that has probably helped not only me but all the guys who play at the back. Since Kenny and Steve came in the atmosphere changed around the team. Everything is much better now. If I feel the confidence from the manager that is important for me and maybe that is the reason (for my form).

“I don’t go to the city centre now because I am busy with my young baby but I can see people look at me in a different way to how they were looking at me before.

“I am happy about that. Before there were doubts about me. I could see in their reaction that they didn’t think I was consistent.

“They were undecided about me so I hope for the last year that I’ve been good enough and shown that I can play for Liverpool. We’ve been here for four years and we like the city. I hope I stay here for a long time.”

Key to Liverpool’s progress over recent months has been Skrtel’s central defensive partnership with Daniel Agger.

They have started the last 11 league games alongside each other with Jamie Carragher having to settle for a place on the bench following his recovery from a calf injury.

Skrtel is enjoying playing with Agger but knows they must both maintain their high standards with Carragher battling to force his way back into the side.

“Daniel is a great player,” Skrtel said. “I see him as one of the best centre backs in the Premier League. It is very important that he is fit now because in the past he has been unlucky with injuries.

“I hope he will be fit for a long time. I enjoying playing alongside him, the partnership with him and the understanding on the pitch with him is working. It is very good and I hope it will continue.

“Of course, we know we have to work and play well if we want to keep our place in the team.

“Carra is a great player and has played here for so long. It is a question for the manager who is going to play. I just try and do my best and if the manager picks me I am happy for that and I will try and play well.”

Skrtel is guaranteed a busy night as Liverpool look to contain the likes of City dangermen Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

The Reds paid the price for some sloppy mistakes at the Etihad Stadium last week when they lost the league clash 3-0. However, Skrtel believes they are capable of avenging that setback as Dalglish’s men look to stay on course for a Wembley final next month.

“I think we can positives from last week,” he said. “The performance of the team was good but we made three mistakes and conceded three goals. Now we need to play without mistakes and we can get a better result.

“It is a semi-final and I think it will be a totally different game to the last one. We need to work hard, get a good result and then go back to Anfield. For us it is a great opportunity to win a trophy and the final is at Wembley.”