Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed Martin Skrtel as one of the Premier League's finest defenders.

The Slovakia international has been one of the Reds' most consistent centre-backs this season in a campaign that has seen injuries to Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique.

Rodgers said that Skrtel has taken his performance level up a notch this term, and believes that his player is now one of the best in his position in the division.

He told reporters: "He's up there with the top centre-halves in this league. I'm delighted for him, because he's a good man.

"He's taken on a real leadership role, especially when there are so many younger players in the group and his performance level now is consistently really high.

"He looks a class act. I think it's a big credit to him that he's been able to prove me right. I brought in a certain way I wanted to work, both on the training field and in the games and for the second part of last season, Martin didn't feature so much."

Liverpool can close the gap on leaders Chelsea to four points when they visit Fulham this evening.