Earlier in the season there were changes in the back four as Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly were injured, forcing Skrtel to play out of position at right-back in a couple of matches. A further injury to Jamie Carragher, firmly ensconced in the heart of the back four, in October gave the Slovakia international and Daniel Agger the opportunity to forge a partnership and they have seized their chance. In the six matches Premier League matches the experienced vice-captain has sat out Liverpool have conceded just three times. That has enhanced their overall record of letting in just 13 in 15 league matches, which includes five clean sheets. And the Reds' form since the 4-0 defeat at Tottenham in mid-September - when they were reduced to nine men - is even better with just six goals getting past goalkeeper Jose Reina in 10 league appearances. Last season Skrtel and Agger had a spell together when Carragher was out for two months after a dislocated shoulder and the Slovakian believes the quality of his partner makes him easy to play alongside. "Daniel is a top quality player and is easy to play alongside," Skrtel told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We have a very good understanding on the pitch which is important and we are working hard and enjoying our job. "I think we are doing well together. "I'm really enjoying my football under the manager (Kenny Dalglish). The atmosphere around the club is very good and he has played me in almost every single game which gives me a lot of confidence. "I'm happy I am playing and I am working as hard as I can to stay in the team." Competition for centre-back places is high with both Carragher and summer signing Sebastian Coates - who have been paired together in the run to the Carling Cup semi-final - both maintaining the pressure. Skrtel thinks that can only help over the coming weeks when the frequency of games increases and injuries are more likely. "Our squad is now very strong," he said. "That is very important for the team because we have a lot of games in front of us, especially January when we have cup matches as well, so we need everybody fresh." While defensively things have tightened up, the story further up the field continues to be one of missed chances. Luis Suarez is the club's top scorer with eight, five of which have come in the league, but with the team failing to take advantage in the games they have dominated it has become increasingly important not to concede. That was certainly the case last weekend against QPR when the Uruguay striker's header proved enough to return the side to winning ways after their 11-match unbeaten run was ended at Fulham five days previously. "It was important for us to keep a clean sheet against QPR and we have been working hard on defending as a team," Skrtel told liverpoolfc.tv. "A clean sheet always gives the defence and Pepe (Reina) a lot of confidence. "It was very important to get back to winning ways at home against QPR. "We created a lot of chances again and Luis got the important goal to get us three points." Suarez has found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks with the outcome of his hearing into a Football Association charge that he racially abused Manchester United's Patrice Evra expected imminently. But Skrtel was full of praise for the South American's qualities on the pitch. "Luis is just a great player and it is very difficult playing against him on the training ground so I know what it's like for the opposition to face him," he added. "He is so competitive in training, every single session. "I try not to let him score but that is not easy I can tell you as he is very difficult to mark."
