Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract with the Anfield club.

The Slovakian centre-half was linked with an exit from the Merseyside club, with Manchester City reportedly interested in the eastern European stopper earlier this summer.

However, after signing a new long-term deal Skrtel has expressed his desire to stay with the Reds for the foreseeable future.

“I’m happy because I am a part of one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Skrtel told the club’s official website.

“After last season there was a lot of talk about my future but I have to say that the first priority for me was always to sign a new deal with Liverpool.

“For me it’s a great thing to play for Liverpool. I am proud to play for Liverpool with these great players – probably some of the best players in the world.

“I hope I can create history at this club and that the fans will always remember me – that’s my target for the future.

“I have been here almost four-and-a-half years and I have enjoyed that time here – myself and also my family. So there were no questions about whether to stay or to leave.

“A lot of things have changed, a new manager has come. I think we can start to make history and I want to be a part of that history.

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“We have our target. For this season it is the top four and I hope we can do it. Then we will see.

“I think Brendan Rodgers showed his quality with Swansea and now he’s carrying on doing that at Liverpool. He’s showed he’s a great manager and I hope we can play better football than we did in the last seasons and I hope we can get our target,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight