MARTIN SKRTEL reflected on a bittersweet afternoon after his debut strike for Liverpool failed to prove enough to earn victory.

Skrtel netted his first goal in 65 appearances since arriving from Zenit St Petersberg in January 2008 to put Rafael Benitez’s side ahead against Manchester City at Anfield on Saturday.

But the Slovakian was then among defenders at fault that allowed Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland to turn the match around before substitute Yossi Benayoun earned a point for Liverpool.

And Skrtel said: “It was my first goal for Liverpool but it didn’t count as we didn’t go and win the game, so I’m very disappointed.

“It’s nice to have scored, as I have been here for nearly two years. I could have scored earlier in the game.

“I’ve had chances before but I haven’t always had the luck. Now I just hope that this is going to be the first of a few more.”

Skrtel was nearest to Adebayor when the City striker was afforded a free header from a Craig Bellamy corner.

It was yet another goal conceded at a set-piece, but Skrtel said: “I think it was a mistake for all three of us (in the middle). I don’t know what happened but he was left all on his own and he scored too easily.

“In the first half I felt that we did really well. Up until we scored the first goal, lots of our play had been really good.

“But after we scored the first goal, it was almost like we stopped playing. It was as if we were waiting and we ended up conceding two goals.

“Maybe did well to get back into the game but we couldn’t score more (than City) so we are all really frustrated.

“The only positive we take is that we showed good character as the team.”