Martin Skrtel born December 15, 1984 in Handlová, Czechoslovakia, now Slovakia) is a Slovak international football defender who plays for English Premier League club Liverpool.
Škrtel began playing football at the age of six; while a competent ice hockey player, he followed his father's career and chose to play football for F.C. Prievidza, before signing for FK AS Trencín.
He tried to play in many different positions and finally chose defence when he was sixteen.
Škrtel started his professional career at FK AS Trencín. He played in 45 games for them between 2001 and 2004.
Škrtel made his debut for Zenit in a Russian Cup match on 31 July 2004. He said that the presence of Slovak and Czech players essentially helped him to adjust to the new team. He played 113 times and scored five goals for the club. Valencia, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, and Newcastle United were all reported to be interested in his services, but he ended up signing for Liverpool in the January 2008 transfer window.
Škrtel signed for Liverpool on 11 January 2008 on a four-and-a-half year contract for £6.5 million. Upon completion of the deal, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez said of Škrtel, "He is aggressive, quick, is good in the air and I think he's a very good player for the future and also for the present. He is very competitive, but his mentality for me is very good". He also compared Škrtel to present Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. He made his league debut against Aston Villa and wears the number 37 for Liverpool.
On 26 January 2008 Škrtel was given his full Liverpool debut in Liverpool's 4th Round FA Cup tie against non-league Havant & Waterlooville, when he nervously gave away a corner which put Liverpool 1-0 behind, as well as a goal mouth scramble which saw Liverpool go 2-1 down after having equalised. But he put in a solid display in the league game against Chelsea, making several good clearances and interceptions, and was voted Man of the Match by the Liverpool supporters on their official website. Liverpool fans have begun to warm to Škrtel since his man of the match performance and he is now considered an integral part of Liverpool's future after turning in several more solid performances at centre half, especially in both UEFA Champions League quarter-final legs against Arsenal FC.
Škrtel was voted Man of the Match by Liverpool supporters on Liverpoolfc.TV, for his performance in the 1-0 derby win over Everton at Anfield on March 30, 2008, Škrtel's first ever appearance in a Merseyside derby.
Škrtel made a bright start to the 2008 campaign, starting all but one Premier League match and reducing out of favour Daniel Agger to the bench. He put in a number of strong performances with defensive partner Jamie Carragher against many top teams, Manchester United, Everton FC and Olympique Marseille
On October 5, 2008 he suffered an injury in Liverpool's 3-2 victory against Man City in the City of Manchester Stadium in which he attempted to clear the ball away and fell awkwardly on his right knee and was removed from the pitch on a stretcher. Martin was in such pain and shock, whilst he was being removed from the pitch, he had to receive oxygen. It was later revealed he had damaged his posterior cruciate ligament and is expected to be out until Christmas 2008.