Skrtel Arrives in Turkey, Fenerbahce Move Imminent

Long-serving Liverpool center-back and head bandage enthusiast Martin Skrtel touched down in Turkey's Istanbul Airport on Tuesday to complete his move to Fenerbahce. The transfer will likely be made official on Wednesday, though the club's Twitter has already released pictures of the defender at the airport donning the Fenerbahce scarf.

Martin Škrtel İstanbul’da | https://t.co/W5IzuNZYCd pic.twitter.com/s96AqYp3t3

— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) July 12, 2016

When he got off the plane, Skrtel spoke to journalists who were waiting for him in the terminal. He said:

"To be honest I did not expect this so journalists here. I'm happy to be here. I'm eagerly awaiting tomorrow as well. Liverpool is a giant club but Fenerbahce is very stable and they are rapidly progressing. Fenerbahce is also a giant club, a great club. That's why I accepted the offer.

"I came here today to make the last call. Hopefully tomorrow we can complete everything and I can be pictured as a Fenerbahce player. But there is one last step and then we'll do that interview."

Skrtel's departure from the club follows fellow center-back Kolo Toure's exit, and means that Liverpool now only have three recognized senior center-backs in the squad. This situation is compounded by the recent news that Mamadou Sakho will be missing the next month as he completes rehab for his ongoing Achilles issue. Klopp will have to shore up the defense before the end of the transfer window or risk another injury crisis like the one that engulfed the team last season.

Martin Skrtel made over 300 appearances for the club in his eight seasons, but it was the right time for this move, for both the player and the club. Godspeed, Martin. We'll always have that Arsenal game.