Martin Skrtel 'fine' after heavy fall during Liverpool's FA Cup draw with Blackburn

Martin Skrtel escaped serious injury in an awkward fall that saw him carried off during Liverpool's FA Cup tie with Blackburn.

The centre-half landed on his head after challenging Rudy Gestede for a header in the opening minutes of a goalless quarter-final at Anfield.

Skrtel was treated on the pitch for eight minutes and eventually left the field on a stretcher with his neck in a brace, but he was able to signal to the crowd on his way off.

And Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said afterwards: "He's fine, but he'll go to the local hospital just to make sure. I think if he had his choice, he wouldn't, but we have to follow procedure and our medical experts.

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"But he was fine - he was up walking about and talking after the game. But as a precaution, we just need to make sure he's okay."

Steven Gerrard was again missing with a hamstring problem, but Rodgers said: "He'll be back training next week, I'm sure, and available for the Swansea game (on Monday)."

Watch Swansea v Liverpool live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm on Monday March 16.