John Aldridge: I Laughed My Head Off When I Read Skrtel Has More Goals Than Torres

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge revealed he "laughed his head off" when he was made aware the Reds defender Martin Skrtel has more goals than Chelsea's Fernando Torres.

The Blues striker has four goals from 23 league appearances this season. Meanwhile, the Slovakian international has already bagged six goals from 28 matches, which includes a double against Cardiff in Liverpol's 3-6 win over the Welsh club.

The Spain international was one of the best strikers to have worn Liverpool shirt. Torres left Anfield and completed his move to the west London club in January 2011. Since his £50m move to Stamford Bridge, the 30-year-old has seen his goal scoring form drop in the past few years.

Aldridge hailed the centre-back's contribution to the Merseyside club this season after he spent most part of the second half of the last campaign on the bench.

"I laughed my head off when I read that Martin Skrtel has now got more Premier League goals than Fernando Torres this season," Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo.

"Skrtel has really turned it around considering he spent the second half of last season sitting on the bench. He has started backing himself much more in the opposition penalty box and has shown his threat from set-pieces."

"He showed great anticipation and technique for both his goals against Cardiff. You are always looking for your centre-backs to chip in with a half a dozen goals a season and he has done that. Hopefully there are a few more to come."

"Skrtel outscoring Torres – it's amazing how things turn out," the Anfield favourite added.

The 55-year-old former striker also went on to thank Chelsea for allowing Daniel Sturridge join Brendan Rodgers' side. The England international completed his Anfield switch last January and has been in impressive form Liverpool, along with Luis Suarez this season.

"We owe Chelsea a lot. It was kind of them to give us £50million for Torres and they did us another massive favour when they sold us Daniel Sturridge for a song," Aldridge concluded.

Liverpool are third in the league table with 65 points from 30 games, trailing league leaders Chelsea by four points, who have played one game more.