Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is confident Martin Skrtel will make a full recovery from his knee injury.

"It is a big loss for us because Martin has done very well for us since joining from Zenit St Petersburg," Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv. "He was playing very well and we were very pleased with him so it is a real pity that he has got injured now.

"But we also know that it could have been worse and the fact that he could be back for our games towards the end of the year is positive for us.

"Martin has a very strong character and he trains hard so I am sure that when he does come back he will be the same player as before he got injured."