"The pain was unbearable. I can't remember a lot about the moment - but it was terrible. I thought that was the end for me," said Skrtel.
"I have never suffered anything like that before but I remained conscious and they gave me oxygen to help with the pain.
"I was in shock for a while but now I am coming to terms with what happened. It hurts still, but things are getting better.
"I almost ripped the ligament fully - and if I had done that, I would have been out for eight months. But now it will be more like eight weeks if I am lucky, when I should be able to start training again."