Skrtel pens new Liverpool deal

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has finally penned a new deal with the Anfield club.

Skrtel, 30, would have been a free agent next summer if terms had not been agreed on a new contract, but talks were prolonged as the Slovakia international held out for a suitable deal.

Now he has signed his new contract he will compete with the likes of Dejan Lovren, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho for a place at the heart of Brendan Rodgers’ defence.

The news comes after an announcement earlier on Friday that midfielder Jordan Henderson has been chosen as Liverpool’s new captain, succeeding Steven Gerrard who has moved to Major League Soccer side the LA Galaxy.