Martin Skrtel Walking, Talking After Scary Injury In Liverpool-Blackburn

Liverpool fans now can breathe a little easier because Martin Skrtel is “fine.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told reporters Sunday that Skrtel was in good condition after he suffered a scary-looking injury in the first half of Liverpool’s goal-less draw with Blackburn, LiverpoolFC.com reports.

“He’s fine but he’ll go to the local hospital just to make sure,” Rodgers said at his postgame press conference. “I think if he had his choice, he wouldn’t, but we have to follow procedure and our medical experts.

“But he was fine. He was up walking about and talking after the game. But as a precaution, we just need to make sure he’s OK.”

Skrtel collided with Blackburn’s Rudy Gestede and fell hard onto the Anfield turf just three minutes into the game. He was stretchered off the field, and some speculated he had suffered a concussion or more serious injury.

Liverpool hasn’t made Skrtel’s diagnosis public yet, but Rodgers’ comments and other early signs are encouraging. Skrtel is the rock on Liverpool’s back-line, and a prolonged absence only would negatively impact the Reds’ pursuits of a top-four finish in the Premier League and victory in the FA Cup.