Skrtel relieved to avoid Carroll
Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel thinks rival Premier League defenders will now share the fear that he experienced when facing Andy Carrol.
Newcastle received £35million on January's transfer deadline day as their former number nine moved to Anfield and became the most expensive British footballer in history.
Liverpool signed Carroll, 22, as a replacement for Fernando Torres, who joined Chelsea, and a partner for fellow January arrival Luis Suarez.
Carroll's record-breaking fee was somewhat of a shock, but Skrtel was not surprised after enduring a torrid evening against his new team-mate in December when the England international scored in Newcastle's convincing 3-1 win.
Slovakia defender Skrtel told Liverpool's official website: "I remember this game and it was very difficult for us defenders because he is a great player.
"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. 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. He's strong, he is good with his head and he can keep the ball.
"I don't know how defenders will feel but they could be scared because Carroll and Suarez is a very strong forward line."