Cruciate damage confirmed for Skrtel

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel will discover in the next 24 hours how long he is expected to be out injured after a scan revealed posterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee.

The 23-year-old Slovakia international was given oxygen and left the field on a stretcher during Liverpool's 3-2 win over Manchester City after he fell awkwardly on the edge of his own penalty area.

Skrtel, who was signed by Rafael Benitez in January from Zenit St Petersburg, has forged a solid partnership with Jamie Carragher at the heart of a Liverpool defence which has conceded only four goals in seven Barclays Premier League matches this season.

'Martin underwent a scan this morning which showed damage to the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,' club spokesman Ian Cotton told the club's website.

'He will see a specialist tomorrow to assess the extent of the injury and will then have an accurate idea of the timescales involved before he is back playing again.'

Liverpool, however, went to secure the points thanks to Dirk Kuyt finding the target in stoppage time.

It was his first Premier League goal since November and capped a rousing comeback by Benitez's side.

Fernando Torres scored his second goal of the match to pull the sides level five minutes after City's Pablo Zabaleta has been sent off by referee for a lunge at Xabi Alonso.

The momentum suddenly switched to Liverpool after the home side had stormed into a 2-0 lead by half-time.

Stephen Ireland made the breakthrough and Javier Garrido extended their advantage with his first goal for the club, curling home an inch-perfect free-kick.

The second half was a different story as Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 12 games.

Benitez said: 'Our character and determination shone through. It was fantastic. We were made to pay for two mistakes but we went on to show a good mentality to win the game. The belief of the players was the key to our success.

'I just told the team at half-time that we just needed one goal to get back in the game. Physically were are in good condition as well and the players are ready for every game.'

City manager Mark Hughes had no complaints about the sending-off after watching television replays.

He said: 'I have seen it in slow motion and he makes contact with the player's standing leg. Pablo has cleared the ball and the man as well. I can see why the referee has given it.

'That made it difficult for us as it is hard enough with 11 men against the top four teams, never mind being man down.'

Hughes added: 'I thought we were excellent in the first half and took the game to Liverpool. We caused them a lot of problems.

'The disappointing thing from our point of view is we let them back into the game so early in the second half. Then after the sending-off we just tried to get through the game only for Liverpool to get the win when maybe we should have had something to show for our efforts.'