Source: Daily_Mail
Skrtel insists Liverpool are best side in the top four and talks up title chances
Martin Skrtel has brushed off concerns over his fitness and has claimed that Liverpool will win the Premier League this year, but has called for the Reds to take more points from sides lower down the league.
The Slovakian centre-back was bullish about his side's chances and maintained that if it came down to a competition just between the big four of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, his side would be champions.
Liverpool have been facing a defensive crisis following injuries to senior centre-backs Skrtel, Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger. But Skrtel has come through a pre-season game against Oldham and should now be fit for the start of the new season.
Talking about Liverpool's title hopes, he said: 'Last season we beat Man United home and away, beat Chelsea home and away and drew with Arsenal home and away.
'If the league was decided just between these four teams we would be the champions. Our problem was dropping points against the other teams like Stoke home and away, West Ham and Hull at Anfield.
'This season we have to try and improve these small details. If we can do that while still beating the top teams, we'll be even better this time.'
Skrtel also believes it will be the usual suspects standing in the way of Rafa Benitez's side and a 19th league championship. He did however warn that he expects a challenge from big spending Manchester City.
'I can't see it changing much from last season,' he said. 'Man United will be a big favourite again and Chelsea will be there, with Arsenal likely to be pushing too.
'Maybe Man City will also be able to challenge. They have brought a lot of top players into the club but we will have to wait and see if it works for them.'
The defender stepped up his bid for fitness as he came through a behind-closed-doors 2-0 win over Oldham at the club's Melwood training ground without any adverse reaction from his injured calf.
'I started pre-season well and came through the first two to three weeks, which are probably the most important,' he said.
'But then I gotthe injury when we were in the Far East. Of course, I've now missed outon a couple of weeks' training, but the most important thing is to tryand get ready as soon as possible.
'Of course, this is only a small problem compared to last season, when I was out for a long time.'
