Skrtel targets early qualification

Martin Skrtel believes Liverpool can take a huge step towards the Champions League knockout stage by maintaining their 100 per cent Group E record against Fiorentina tonight.

The Slovakian defender feels the Reds are beginning to find their best form and is confident they can secure another famous victory on Italian soil at the expense of Cesare Prandelli's men.
 
"We are looking forward to this game because playing in the Champions League is always something special for everyone," he told the pre-match press conference.
 
"We have done well in our last few games and we are really confident. We will do our best to try and get a victory here.
 
"We want to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League as soon as possible and this game is very important for us. We want to show our quality and that we are a better team than them. We'll do everything we can to get a win."
 
Fiorentina will be without leading scorer Alberto Gilardino for the clash at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
 
Skrtel acknowledges the former AC Milan striker will be a loss for the hosts, but feels they have other options that can cause Liverpool's rearguard problems.
 
"They will miss a good player, but they still have Jovetic and Mutu," he said. "We will try to do our best in defence and try and stop them. We are not scared of anybody.
 
"We've made some mistakes and conceded goals but I think we can improve some small details and things will be better in the future.
 
"We will get more clean sheets."
 
While Skrtel and co will be looking for a shut-out at the back, the spotlight will once again fall upon the in-form Fernando Torres in attack.
 
The Reds' No.37 has been more than impressed by the forward's recent goal-glut and feels he has been vital in their six-match winning streak.
 
"He has scored a lot of goals now and is doing well," he said. "That is very good for us and helps us to win matches."