Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina believes Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger can forge a partnership as successful as the one between Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.

The pair won two FA Cups, two Super Cups, the League Cup, the Champions League, and the UEFA Cup during their 10-year spell at the club, which ended following Hyypia's move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2009.

With Carragher having been side-lined in recent years, both Skrtel and Agger, both of whom have signed new long-term contracts in recent months, have taken on the responsibility in the centre of the Liverpool defence, and Reina is thrilled to have the pair for protection.

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel
Agger and Skrtel are forming a impressive partnership in the centre of defence.

"It's good they've signed contracts because it's a fact that they are one of the best centre-back couples in the Premier League," Reina told Liverpoolfc.com.

"The understanding between them is great and they've been really solid lately. In the last year and a half or so they have been brilliant for us.

"It's great for the club and I'm happy for them that they've got new deals.

"If I am not mistaken they are similar ages to each other, so they have five or six years still to play their best football.

"I don't see any reason why they can't do the same as Carra and Sami did, though they were one of the greatest centre-back couples this club has ever had."

Carragher is set to be released by Liverpool at the end of the season after 16 years of service, and will end his career as the second highest appearance maker behind Ian Callaghan.

His versatility has seen him play across the back line with a series of players, including Stephane Henchoz and Markus Babbel amid Liverpool's success in 2001, where the club won five trophies in a calendar year under Gerard Houllier.

Meanwhile, as expected Pepe Reina will miss the club's Europa League game against Anzhi as Liverpool continue to sweat over his fitness for the Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday.

"We're not quite sure [how long he'll be out for] at the moment," Anfield assistant boss Colin Pascoe.

"Hopefully, it won't be too long.

"He's doing his rehab at the moment and he's working hard in training. We've just got to assess him over the weekend and we'll see then."