Han er hans egen største kritiker
The Slovakia international, who has made nine first-team appearances since arriving from Zenit St Petersburg in the transfer window, is well aware that the United forward line could provide him with his sternest test yet.
"You know Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez are players of immense quality, so I think you don't have to study them as a defender. Team preparation will be the key," said Skrtel.
"We are working really hard to prove that we are the better players to win that game.
"We will see. I haven't played in a derby game yet but I know that Manchester United and Everton are the biggest rivals of Liverpool. I would compare it I suppose Zenit versus Spartak Moscow or Slovakia versus the Czech Republic. Big games with a lot at stake."
Should Skrtel start for Rafael Benitez's side today he is likely to cross paths with United defender Nemanja Vidic, a player with the same type of no-nonsense approach that has served our number 37 so well during his fledgling career.
It is a comparison Skrtel feels should be left for others to discuss as he strives to develop a reputation as a top-class defender in his own right.
"I think as far comparisons are concerned you would have to ask the manager or specialists," he said.
"I cannot say who I am like myself. I wouldn't really wish to compare myself with anyone. I want to be a unique player. I want to known for being me.
"I know that I am a physical player and I know the game in England is very physical so I think it suits me in that respect. At the beginning, immediately after the transfer, I found things hard, but now I feel I have settled in. I don't really have any problems now."
Skrtel's performances at the heart of the Reds' defence have steadily improved since his debut against Havant and Waterlooville on January 26.
It was a difficult start for the young defender who believes the game has served him as an example of what he needs to improve upon to make a success of his time at Liverpool.
"In some respects I think that game helped me," he admitted.
"When I look back now the team was a non-league team and my mistakes in that game I looked at and worked on.
"I have tried not to do the same mistakes again. I have learnt from that experience and taken bits from that game.
"As far as the critics are concerned, I am my biggest critic. We conceded two goals to a non-league team, one because of my mistake, so I was not happy with myself first of all.
"Obviously I did worry at first what the fans would think of me.
"But at the end of the day I knew I would get another opportunity and that I would get the chance to prove to the supporters that I am and will be a better player than that first full game.
"People have mentioned the Chelsea game and said I played well in that match, but I always try and give my best performance. In that game, everyone played well and that boosts the confidence of the team as a whole."
Skrtel is convinced he has joined a club on the verge of adding more trophy success to an already overflowing Anfield trophy cabinet and feels Rafael Benitez now has a squad capable of winning the Barclays Premier League title.
"Liverpool is a mega club not just in England but the whole world," he says. "From that point of view I haven't been surprised. I expected that and I know Liverpool has very high ambitions.
"Zenit is a big club in Russia but you can't compare it with Liverpool. They haven't managed to win any European cups although I hope they will do that this season.
"We have the players to win the league here. Definitely."
Det er ganske udmærket sagt af Skrtel, og han ved virkelig, hvornår han har lavet lort i det. Det er dejligt, og han er tilmed villig til at forbedre sig rigtig meget, så han bliver guld værd, når han kommer rigtig, rigtig godt i gang.
