Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel desperate to stop Fernando Torres from scoring

Martin Skrtel insists he is determined to prevent ex-Liverpool striker Fernando Torres from scoring against his former club when the Reds travel to Chelsea on Sunday.

Torres sealed a £50m move to Stamford Bridge in January 2011 after having scored 81 goals in 142 appearances for the Merseysiders.

The Spaniard has struggled to continue that prolific goal-scoring form in west London and has managed just 19 goals in 84 appearances for the Blues.

But Skrtel needs no reminding of the threat posed by the Spaniard in front of goal and says he would rather stop Torres from netting than getting on the scoresheet himself.

“Now he is playing for Chelsea and if I play I will be marking him,” Skrtel told Liverpool’s website.

“It’s going to be special but we have to look after him because even if he isn’t scoring goals at the moment he is still one of the best strikers in the world and still dangerous.

“We have to keep our eye on him for 90 minutes and not let him score.

“I haven’t seen Chelsea play too many times this season but from what I’ve heard his performances are better than last season.

“It’s going to be hard playing against him but I believe in my qualities and the quality of our team and I believe we won’t let him score.”

Asked if he would rather score himself or stop Torres scoring, Skrtel added: “Definitely stop Fernando scoring a goal because as a defender the main job on the pitch is to stop the striker scoring and try to keep a clean sheet.

“I always look forward to every single game I can play for this club. These big games are special and Sunday will be special.”