Skrtel hopes last-gasp goal can be a turning point

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel believes his late goal against Arsenal could prove to be more significant than the single point it earned his side.

The Slovakia international chose the perfect opportunity to score his first of the season in the seventh of nine minutes of time added — largely for a head injury suffered by Skrtel when Olivier Giroud accidentally stood on him.

Skrtel posted a graphic picture on Instagram yesterday showing seven metal staples which were inserted into the cut.

While his goal at least ensured Liverpool gained a 2-2 draw from a dominant performance, had it not gone in manager Brendan Rodgers would have found himself answering more questions about why his side could not convert a possession percentage of 64% into something more tangible.

Back-to-back league defeats would have dealt a damaging blow but at least Liverpool can look forward to the festive period with some optimism.

“Obviously it is disappointing because we wanted to get the three points but to go behind and then score a late equaliser is good and I think we showed that spirit, fight, desire,” said Skrtel.

“It was a great goal and a big one for us. To get a point was reward for fighting to the end and I am glad for myself because I’ve had a few chances this season but couldn’t score, and now I’ve finally scored.

“The goal and the performance can help turn things around because there has been a lot of criticism of us and I hope it will change and be better in the second half of the season.

“The last three games against United, Bournemouth and Arsenal we have shown great performances and we need to keep going this way, and it will be good for us and results will be better.”

Like Skrtel, Jordan Henderson was keen to stress the positives.

“The overall feeling with everyone is much better,” he said.

“The intensity is there in getting the ball back, pressurising high up the pitch to get it back and the passing and moving forward and penetration was good.

“The performance level is getting better and back to the level we know we can play at, with the intensity returning and everyone working to get the ball back and getting forward we are having real penetration behind.

“It has been frustrating at times that we have created so many chances but at the same time it is pleasing our performance levels are much better.We just need to back that up with results.”

Sunday’s draw did little for either side’s league position — Arsenal are sixth, Liverpool 10th — and Gunners midfielder Mathieu Flamini admits they have enough quality to be able to raise themselves higher.

“It is a point we are happy to take but if anything we are a bit frustrated because we had the possibility to win the game,” he said.

“Of course we want to fight for the top places.”