Liverpool: Arsenal draw shows Reds can compete with any Premier League club says Martin Skrtel

Martin Skrtel is delighted after Liverpool kept their third consecutive clean sheet against Arsenal in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates on 24 August. The Merseyside club won their first two matches of the season against Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth. Brendan Rodgers has seen his side bag seven points out of a possible nine in the three matches played so far.

The 30-year-old revealed the first two wins for Liverpool gave them much-needed boost for the Arsenal clash. The centre-back claims the Anfield club's display against the Gunners showed they can compete with any club in the league.

"It really was a game of two halves. In the first half we were better than them. We hit the crossbar, we hit the post and their keeper made some great saves," Skrtel told the Liverpool Echo. "But in the second half they kept the ball better and created some chances, but we defended well and I'm glad they didn't score.

"Maybe both teams can be happy with a point. We wanted to win the game but at the end of the day we kept a clean sheet and if you can't win, it's important not to lose the game. It's always difficult to come to places like this but we arrived with confidence after two wins. We wanted to get something to keep the run going and I think we can be happy with the way we played.

"We showed we can compete with anyone in this league, whether it's away or home. We just have to keep going and keep building on this run."

In the 2014/15 season, Liverpool struggled as they finished outside the top four. Rodgers and his men are determined to finish this campaign on a high and return to Champions League football a year later.

Attack and defence

Skrtel claims the Reds attack and defend together and also hailed the impact of Dejan Lovren in the heart of the back four.

"Dejan is working very hard and playing well. But it's not only about the centre-backs, we're defending well as a team and that's important. We attack together and we defend together," the Slovakian international explained.

"The way we finished last season wasn't right, especially with what happened in the last two matches. This season we spoke with each other and said we had to start better. We've done that so far with seven points out of nine but this game is gone now. We need to start preparing for West Ham at home on Saturday," he said.