Skrtel: That was something special

Steven Gerrard and Iago Aspas bagged the goals in the second clash of the side's summer tour in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 95,000, and the Slovakia international feels the Reds can draw numerous positives from the encounter in Australia.

Skrtel told LFC TV: "I think everybody enjoyed that because playing in front of 95,000 people doesn't happen every day - it was a good experience for everyone.

"It was something special. It was only a friendly game but playing in front of 95,000 people is always great."

The 28-year-old feels the encouraging pre-season that the squad is enjoying is proving to be beneficial for all involved, especially younger teammates such as fellow defender Andre Wisdom.

The centre-back added: "I think it's going well because it's been three weeks of working very hard and we've played three games, won all of them and didn't concede, so things are going well and hopefully we'll carry on this way in the future as well.

"It was the second or third game we [he and Wisdom] have played together and I think it was working - the main thing is we didn't concede a goal.

"Andre is a young player but he has quality and is a big lad. The future is in front of him so it's great for him to play against a team like we played today and the experience can only help him."

Another man to have joined Skrtel in the Reds' defensive ranks is summer signing Kolo Toure, an experienced centre-back who will provide added competition in the backline - something Skrtel welcomes.

He concluded: "Every day is a competition and you need to work hard and show your best every day in training.

"Since I came to Liverpool there's always been three, four or even five players that play centre-back. It wasn't easy but I try to do my best and I try to show my manager that I'm able to play."