Skrtel looks forward to break

The Liverpool defender will play his last game of 2008/9 later today when Slovakia play San Marino in a World Cup qualifier. Skrtel will then have a month off to recover from a tough campaign that saw him pick up the first serious injury of his career.

"I have enjoyed this year - my first full year in England," he said.

"A lot of things have been good for me, though I did injure my knee and didn't play for three months. That was not a good period for me but overall it's been a good year.

"I am looking forward to the break. This season has been very long - 11 months. It was my first full season, so I'm looking forward to a holiday and I'll enjoy it.

"I have one international to play and after that I'll see what I'll do."