Martin Skrtel admits an improved defensive record is one of Liverpool’s targets this season and insists it's a responsibility that will be shared throughout the team.

The Reds conceded 51 goals in the Barclays Premier League last term - a statistic the Slovakian centre-back acknowledges must be lowered this time around.

Skrtel feels the key to doing so is within the team and not just those deployed at the back.

"It is about defending as a team and that's the big thing that we need to improve," he said.

"If we can do that and also cut out some of the individual mistakes it will make a big difference.

"We will work on it and try to improve it. As players we are not happy with that record but we know the direction we were going in as a team last season and we will try to improve on that in the new one."

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Liverpool have bolstered their defensive options over the summer, adding Javier Manquillo, Alberto Moreno and Dejan Lovren to the ranks.

Skrtel feels the increased competition is a positive.

"There's a lot of competition for places but that can only be good for us as players because when you know that someone is waiting to play in your position it pushes you to show the manager how good you are," he added.

"That can only be good for the team and it's up to the manager who starts."