Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel slams ‘unacceptable’ contract offer

Martin Skrtel is reportedly uneasy with the contract on offer from Liverpool
Defender believes deal put forward is offered to ‘older’ players
Slovak defender posted Instagram image as he prepares for Euro qualifiers

Published:
23:11 GMT, 3 June 2015

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Updated:
06:54 GMT, 4 June 2015

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Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has reportedly revealed he has not signed a new deal with the club as the current contract on offer is unacceptable.

The 30-year-old, who took to Instagram on Wednesday to share an image on the physio table preparing for Slovakia’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia, is ‘uneasy’ with the current offer so did not sign it.

According to a report in his homeland, Skrtel is quoted claiming that the proposition Liverpool have put forward is usually only handed to ‘older’ players or those with injury struggles.

Martin Skrtel took to Instagram on Wednesday as he prepares for Slovakia’s upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers

Liverpool defender Skrtel has not signed a new deal as the current contract offer is ‘unacceptable’

MARTIN SKRTEL FACTFILE

Born: December 15, 1984

Career

Trencin (2001-2004)

Appearances: 44 Goals: 8

Zenit St Petersburg (2004-2008)

Appearances: 113 Goals: 5

Liverpool (2008-)

Appearances: 293 Goals: 17

The defender’s contract talks with Liverpool hit a snag before the end of the season last month over a clause relating to the number of games he must play each season.

The central defender, who is one of the top earners at the club, was thought to be close to agreeing a new deal. His current contract expires in the summer of 2016.

Speaking to Slovakian publication Aktualne, Skrtel was quoted: ‘It’s unacceptable for me. I think that such contracts are offered to players who are much older than me or players who have had some health problems.

‘The contract, which was presented to me, makes me uneasy, so I did not sign it.

‘There has been some speculation about the interest of other clubs for my person, but they are currently being addressed.’

Skrtel, pictured challenging Peter Crouch, claims the current offer is usually handed to much older players

Liverpool were confident of wrapping up the contract before the end of the season, but it’s understood Skrtel has to play a high number of games – possibly as many as 80 per cent – to qualify for his full salary.

The Merseyside club offered the Slovakia defender a three-year deal, with the option of another 12 months at the end of the term, if both parties are happy to renew at the end of the contract. Skrtel had been in talks with Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre for several weeks over a new deal

While Skrtel’s latest terms have proved to be a stumbling block, James Milner is set to sign for Liverpool after holding ‘positive’ talks with the Anfield club.

The Manchester City midfielder, available on a free transfer in the summer, is poised to sign a long-term contract in a major boost for Brendan Rodgers.

Milner, is also wanted by Arsenal, while a contract worth up to £165,000-a-week remains on the table at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City midfield player James Milner is set to sign for Liverpool after holding ‘positive talks’

Meanwhile, Liverpool forward Divock Origi expects to be challenging for the Premier League title ahead of his long-awaited arrival at Anfield.

The Belgium international was signed after an impressive World Cup last season before being loaned back to Ligue 1 club Lille. He will head to Merseyside with the club desperately in need of a goalscorer after the likes of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert failed to make an impact.

Despite struggling for form this season, the 20-year-old believes Liverpool can finally reclaim the championship under the guidance of ‘world class coach’ Brendan Rodgers.

New arrival Divock Origi insists Liverpool are good enough to win the Premier League title

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: ‘I think Liverpool is a wonderful club that deserves to be at the top and to be honest with the players they have, with the quality they have, then they should be finishing at the top of the league.

‘I’m very happy to be going there.

‘Brendan Rodgers is a very good coach and he has proved that so it will be very exciting to work with a world class coach.’

‘Most of all it is important to be at a good club where people believe in you and where you feel good and at Liverpool I had a really good feeling and they have experience of working with young players.

‘It’s always nice to play with good players.