Skrtel feared for future

Liverpool defender reflects on knee injury

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 10th October 2008

Martin Skrtel Liverpool injury v Manchester City

Skrtel: Facing eight weeks out

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Martin Skrtel admits he feared the knee injury he sustained against Manchester City could end his career.

The Slovakia centre-back damaged his posterior cruciate ligament as he fell awkwardly during the Reds' 3-2 success at Eastlands on Sunday.

He will not require surgery in order to resolve the problem but is expected to be sidelined until at least Christmas.

Despite facing up to a frustrating spell on the Anfield treatment table, Skrtel accepts his fate could have been much worse.

"I thought my career was over," he said in the Daily Mirror.

Unbearable

"The pain was unbearable. I can't remember a lot about the moment, but it was terrible. I thought that was the end for me.

"I have never suffered anything like that before but I remained conscious and they gave me oxygen to help with the pain.

"I was in shock for a while but now I am coming to terms with what happened. It hurts still but things are getting better.

"I almost ripped the ligament fully and, had I done that, I would have been out for eight months.

"But now it will be more like eight weeks if I'm lucky, when I should be able to start training again."