Skrtel twisted his knee and suffered posterior cruciate ligament damage during the 3-2 win at Eastlands.

The Slovakia international was eventually told the following day he would not need surgery and could be back in action by Christmas.

But the centre-back said: "The pain was unbearable, I cannot remember a lot about the moment but it was terrible. I thought that was the end for me.

"I have never suffered anything like that before but I remained conscious and I was given oxygen for the pain."