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Dalglish backs Skrtel to deal with Bale

Gareth Skrtel could be asked to fill in at right-back again © PA Photos

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Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has no concerns about continuing to play Martin Skrtel out of position as he believes increased competition within the squad has forced all his players to raise their game.

Skrtel has played the majority of the last two matches against Bolton and Stoke at right-back after injuries to Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson. Should he continue in that role at White Hart Lane on Sunday the Slovakia defender is likely to come up against his greatest challenge so far in the form of flying winger Gareth Bale.

But Dalglish has no worries about his centre-back, who has found opportunities in his preferred position limited by the form of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger, while new Uruguayan signing Sebastian Coates has brought added competition in that area.

"He is playing out of position but it is not a problem for him,'' Dalglish said. "He came on against Bolton and was very comfortable. He has thrown himself into the right-back position and done brilliantly and he doesn't look out of place to me.

"If we have to keep him there then we have to keep him there. There is no way Martin Skrtel is going to let you down for lack of commitment. One of the benefits of this group of players is that they are prepared to play wherever they can get a game."

"They will do their very best and if it is not right it is not their problem it is our problem. It is a great credit to them. Martin has been given the opportunity and he has done the best he can to continue to do it and if someone else gets the opportunity they will be exactly the same.''

Kelly is close to making a return to fitness after a hamstring injury against Bolton at the end of last month and could conceivably depose Skrtel on the right of defence. Teenager John Flanagan is the other option but has not featured in the first team since suffering a visible drop in confidence in the second half of their opening-day fixture against Sunderland.

Flanagan insists he is ready to come back in if required, however.

"Hopefully I can get back in the team - that's my target,'' Flanagan said. "We've got a few injuries at the moment so maybe I'll get another chance soon. When I do get back in there I'll have to show what I can do.

"Kells is back in training so it all depends what Kenny wants to do but if he needs me at Tottenham I'll be ready. All I can do is keep working hard in training and keep listening to the coaches."

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