The 28-year-old Slovakian has been on the bench in recent months after suffering a dip in form for the Reds, but insists he hasn’t given up on a place in the starting XI

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel insists he will fight to regain his place in the Reds’ starting XI, following his demotion to the bench in recent weeks.

The 28-year-old arrived at Anfield in 2008 and was a hit with the fans thanks to his no-nonsense attitude. However, following a serious knee injury a year later, Skrtel found it difficult to replicate his initial form.

After losing his place to Jamie Carragher in recent weeks, the former Zenit centre-half is confident he can see off the competition from his counterpart and return to Brendan Rodgers’ first XI plans.

“This is what happens in football and this time it was my turn,” Skrtel told his own official website.

“I have to respect it and wait for my chance. And I hope my chance will come before the end of the season.

“Those who know me know that I will fight for my place in the team.”

The governing body say that they will stand by the Liverpool forward over allegations he punched an opponent during their Word Cup Qualifier against Chile in March

The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) insist they will defend striker Luis Suarez in the latest controversy surrounding the Liverpool talisman, after claims he punched an opposing player during a World Cup qualifier.

The incident occured during Chile’s 2-0 victory over Suarez’s Uruguay in March, when the 26-year-old allegedly threw a punch in the direction of West Brom defender Gonzalo Jara, who is on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Referee Nestor Patana missed the altercation in the penalty area and was therefore unable to react during the match, and though retrospective action is likely to be taken, the AUF are adamant they will stand by their star man.

“Once again we feel Suarez is being persecuted by different football leagues, mainly the English, and we think this is unjust because it’s a normal action in football,” AUF president Sebastian Bauza told the Comnebol website.

“We will defend him very strongly. We are working with all the videos and pictures showing Suarez reacted to an initial aggression from Jara.”

This isn’t the first time Suarez has been in trouble over the use of his hands, having been sent off during the 2010 World Cup for saving a shot with his hand against Ghana.

Nigel Adkins is still searching for his first win since taking over at Madejski Stadium and Willie Duncan is backing the Reds to enjoy a comfortable win over the Royals here

Reading’s slim hopes of Premier League survival were dealt a hammer blow last weekend when they slumped to a 2-0 home loss at the hands of Southampton.

European qualification hopefuls Liverpool will aim to pile on the agony for Nigel Adkins’ men when the two sides clash at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

The home side, who have lost their last eight matches in all competitions and now stand on the precipice of relegation to the Championship, are rated as an 11/2 (6.50) chance to end that dreadful sequence of results with a vital victory over Brendan Rodgers’ side this weekend.

Liverpool were frustrated last weekend as they were held by West Ham United at Anfield but the Reds should travel to Madejski Stadium in good spirits, having lost just one of their last seven matches in all competitions.

They can be backed at just 1/2 (1.50) to pick up all three points here while the same firm go 3/1 (4.0) that the match ends all square.

Liverpool have scored an impressive 18 goals in their last seven matches. The Reds will feel confident about their chances of adding to that tally against a Reading side that has yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet in 2013 while it should be also noted that the Royals have scored just three goals in their last six matches.

With that in mind, Bet365’s generous 5/4 (2.25) quote for Liverpool (-1) in the handicap market looks to represent outstanding value this weekend while the same firm offer a juicy 13/8 (2.63) that the Reds keep a clean sheet against the Royals.

Liverpool can be backed at 11/10 (2.10) to lead at both half-time and full-time this weekend while those seeking to squeeze extra value from this contest should snap up the generous 9/4 (3.25) quote from the same firm for Brendan Rodgers’ in-form side to with both halves on Saturday.

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Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter