Liverpool's center back Martin Skrtel no longer has to defend striker Andy Carroll since the two became teammates in an expensive deal on January's transfer deadline day.
Nobody is more relieved about that development than Skrtel.
The Slovakian defender recalls having to play against Carroll in a December match in which Newcastle beat Liverpool 3-1.
"I remember this game and it was very difficult for us defenders because he is a great player," Skrtel told LFC.tv. "He's strong and a big lad, and it's very difficult to play against him.
"Now I am happy he is in our team," he added. "It's good to have a player like him in our team. He's definitely one of the toughest strikers I've played against in the Premier League."
Having played against him before, Skrtel has an idea of what that feels like. He said that other opposing defenders may struggle as he did — or at the very least be nervous about going up against the dangerous striker.
"I don't know how defenders will feel," he said, "but they could be scared because Carroll and [Luis] Suarez is a very strong forward line."
