Liverpool duo John Flanagan and Martin Skrtel are setting ambitious targets for the remainder of the season, with the former planning to take advantage of every first-team opportunity, while the latter wants to surpass his current goal tally.

Flanagan featured against Newcastle and Wigan as Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson suffered from injuries, and the 19 year old is using every chance handed to him by Kenny Dalglish to show he can stand alongside the senior players, no matter how limited the opportunities may be for now.

"I think I have matured as a player and as a person," he told the official Liverpool magazine, via Sky Sports.

"I'm training at Melwood full-time now, learning from the coaches and the other players, and always looking to improve my game.

John Flanagan
John Flanagan is using his experiences with the Liverpool senior side to learn as much as possible.

"Being in that situation helps, and I would say I have a bit more experience now and have matured."

Skrtel, meanwhile, has scored four times for Liverpool this season, and the centre back wants to add even more to his tally to show that he is of use all over the pitch, as the club aim to win the FA Cup and get back in contention for Champions League football.

"It's the most I've scored in a season because usually I don't get too many," the official Liverpool website reports.

"I think I got one in my second full season here, then I got two.

"So I wanted to get three this season. I've got four at the moment and I'm happy with that.

"My strike against Cardiff wasn't the nicest goal but it was special to score in a final at Wembley. My friends were very happy for me, they all congratulated me. I got a lot of text messages and BBMs too."

Liverpool face cross-town rivals Everton in the FA Cup semi-final, and Skrtle knows there will be no greater satisfaction than beating them.

"I wanted it to be Everton," he explained. "I've played in lots of derbies now and having a Merseyside derby at Wembley will be brilliant.

"I've played in some great stadiums like the Santiago Bernabeu, the Emirates, Wembley. I would probably go for Wembley as my favourite, it's a special place for me."