The centre-back sustained the serious problem in the Premier League victory at Manchester City in October after becoming a permanent fixture in the Reds first team.

However, the Slovakia international now expects to be fully recovered in time to help Liverpool through the hectic festive period fixture list.

"I hope I will be back in action next month, hopefully in the middle of next month," Skrtel told the club's official website. "But I will have to be guided by the medical team at Liverpool.

"I have been lucky because I could have been facing eight or nine months out of the game.

"It's the worst injury of my career, but if I play for the next 10 years, I am sure I might have one worse."

The no-nonsense 23-year-old is also confident that he will return to his best form as Liverpool chase the league title.

"I will be the same player when I am fully fit again," he added.

"I will make tackles like I always have and will stand up physically to the challenges that I face.

"It will take me a few games to get back to the level that I was at before the injury, that is only natural.

"But I won't be a different player when I come back - I won't allow that to happen."