Football players can never tell just what is around the corner. While they get paid ridiculous sums of cash to play a game that we all love, every time they set foot on a football pitch, they know that there’s a chance that they could get badly injured and potentially never play the game at a professional level again.

The Times reports that such thoughts went through the head of Martin Skrtel on Sunday, after collapsing in a heap towards the end of Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Manchester City. The Slovakian defender was clearly in an incredible amount of pain, and admits that he thought that his career had effectively come to an end at the City of Manchester Stadium.

“The pain was unbearable,” he said. “I can’t remember a lot about the moment – but it was terrible. I thought that was the end for me.

“I have never suffered anything like that before but I remained conscious and they gave me oxygen to help with the pain.

“I was in shock for a while but now I am coming to terms with what happened. It hurts still, but things are getting better.

“I almost ripped the ligament fully - and if I had done that, I would have been out for eight months. But now it will be more like eight weeks if I am lucky, when I should be able to start training again.”

Liverpool fans will be delighted to hear that the reliable defender should return by Christmas, despite having a ready-made replacement in the form of Daniel Agger. While the Dane should slot in very nicely alongside Jamie Carragher, Skrtel is fast becoming one of the Premier League’s best defenders and is a key factor in the Reds’ strong start to the season.

Click here to enter a unique England v Kazakhstan competition, where you can win a free £50 football voucher!

Discuss the latest transfer gossip at the Brand New COS forum!