Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes that Martin Skrtel has grown in stature this season.
Anfield boss believes centre-back has developed into a 'real asset'
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes that Martin Skrtel has grown in stature this season as the defender prepares to complete an ever-present Premier League campaign.
The Slovakia international has not missed a minute of the Anfield club's 37 top-flight games in 2010/11, a feat matched only by Everton's Leighton Baines among outfield players.
Skrtel, who has capitalised on the injuries of centre-back partners Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger, will complete a 100 per cent record if he stays on the pitch for the full 90 minutes at Aston Villa on Saturday.
And Dalglish believes that the defender has become a better player as a result, even overcoming a mid-season dip in form around the turn of the year which would probably have cost him his place had the injury situation not been so bad.
"It's a fantastic achievement but we have to wait and see if he's playing on Sunday or not," joked Dalglish, before adding: "No, I wouldn't like to spoil that perfect record.
"He's been fantastic this year and really grown in stature. He's been a real asset for us.
Commitment
"He gets credit from the people who really matter - the people here. He wouldn't have played every game if he didn't."
While Skrtel's form has picked up since Dalglish's arrival in January, the manager admits the rest of the squad have done plenty to convince him there is not a pressing need for major changes in the summer.
"I had no pre-conceived ideas. You have an opinion but it's not definitive," added the 60-year-old.
"When you're on the outside you don't always see the effort and commitment they have - I've noticed that since I've come in.
"A lot of the performances have exceeded what I thought we were capable of.
"That's a great compliment to them, or maybe I'm just thick and didn't appreciate what we had here!"
