Martin Skrtel: Adam Bogdan's Shootout Saves No Surprise To LFC Players

Martin Skrtel insists Adam Bogdan’s trio of penalty saves in the shootout win over Carlisle United didn’t take anyone within the Liverpool camp by surprise.

The Hungarian enjoyed a debut to savor as he thwarted three spot-kicks to ensure the Reds progressed into the round four of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night.

However, Skrtel and Co. had already been given a glimpse of Bogdan’s penalty-saving prowess in a practice session at Melwood earlier this week.

“It was great for Adam,” Skrtel told LiverpoolFC.com. “We’d practiced penalties the day before the game just in case — and it turned out we needed them to go through.

“Adam was good. It was his first game, his first game at Anfield, and he’s been doing well. In the penalties, he showed his quality.

“Obviously, we expected it to be a different game, but as we know there is no easy game here in England. But the main thing is we went through to the next round and we’re happy about that.”

Next up for Liverpool in the Capital One Cup is a home game against AFC Bournemouth in October.

The Reds defeated the Cherries 1-0 at Anfield in a Barclays Premier League meeting in August, while last season they eliminated Eddie Howe’s side at the quarterfinal stage of the League Cup.

“It will be tough,” reflected Skrtel. “We’ve played against them in the Premier League this season and in the cup last season, so we know they have a good team.

“But we will play at home, at Anfield, so the target will be to go through to the next round.”