Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel expects to be back in action this month.

The Slovak international was in outstanding form before suffering a knee ligament injury against Manchester City in October.

Skrtel told liverpoolfc.tv: "I have been lucky because I could have been facing eight or nine months out of the game.

"It's the worst injury of my career, but if I play for the next 10 years, I am sure I might have one worse."

Skrtel added: "I will be the same player when I am fully fit again.

"I will make tackles like I always have and will stand up physically to the challenges that I face. It will take me a few games to get back to the level that I was at before the injury, that is only natural.

"But I won't be a different player when I come back - I won't allow that to happen."