Martin Skrtel leaves Liverpool after eight-and-a-half years to join Fenerbahce

Martin Skrtel has completed his move away from Liverpool to join Fenerbahce. Skrtel, 31, has spent the last eight-and-a-half years on Merseyside, having joined from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2008.

Fenerbahce have not yet disclosed any details over the defender's contract, but confirmed the move via their Twitter account.

While he held down a first-team role under Rafa Benitez and subsequent managers, his erratic performances saw him lose that spot under Jurgen Klopp following the German's arrival at the club in October 2015.

The Slovakia international made 320 appearances for the Reds, winning the Carling Cup in 2012 and coming within two games of winning the Premier League title under Brendan Rodgers in the 2013-14 season.

Skrtel becomes the second defender to leave Anfield this summer following the departure of Kolo Toure. While Cameroon international Joel Matip has joined on a free transfer from Schalke, Klopp may have to bring another defensive option in before the start of the new campaign.

Mamadou Sakho saw his Uefa suspension for a positive drugs test dismissed last week, but an Achilles injury is likely to delay his return to the first team. In addition to the setback, the France international has not played for the club since April, with Sky Sports suggesting he is unlikely to be available for the opening league game of the season against Arsenal on 14 August.

The Liverpool Echo also suggest youngster Joe Gomez has suffered a setback that will delay his return to competitive football. The former Charlton Athletic youngster is yet to feature under Klopp having suffered an ACL injury in October last year but had returned to training ahead of the club's pre-season tour.

The Echo, however, reports that the 19-year-old has damaged his Achilles tendon, which will temporarily shelve his comeback plans.

Jordon Ibe meanwhile has completed his move to Bournemouth.