Skrtel gets long-term Liverpool extension

Liverpool: Liverpool say defender Martin Skrtel has signed a new contract with the Premier League club.

Liverpool said Monday that the 27-year-old Skrtel signed a "long-term contract."

The Slovakia international has made 175 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Zenit St. Petersburg for 6.5 million pounds (then $12.7 million) in 2008.

Skrtel says "after last season there was a lot of talk about my future, but I have to say that the first priority for me was always to sign a new deal with Liverpool."

Liverpool lost their opening match of the league season on Saturday, 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion.