Martin Skrtel says he feared his career was over after tearing ligaments in his right knee at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.

The Liverpool defender damaged his posterior cruciate ligament after falling awkwardly in the closing minutes of the 3-2 victory over Manchester City and is expected to be out of action until Christmas.

"The pain was unbearable," he said. "I can't 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 they gave me oxygen to help with the pain. I was in shock for a while but now I am coming to terms with what happened. It hurts still, but things are getting better.

"I almost ripped the ligament fully - and if I had done that, I would have been out for eight months. But now it will be more like eight weeks if I am lucky, when I should be able to start training again."