Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has revealed that he played through the pain barrier in his side’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday after Martin Skrtel missed the match through illness.

The Denmark international has been forced to pull out of his country’s upcoming friendly match against Turkey so that he can rest the groin problem which he carried into the game at Stamford Bridge.

And the 27-year-old admitted that he would not have played had Skrtel been fully fit but is hoping to recover in time to face Wigan on Saturday.

“I should not have played on Sunday but Skrtel became ill and there was not much I could do. I was thrown into it,” Agger told TV2.

“I have a pulled groin. It was something that should have kept me out on Sunday but it did not. I played the game. It takes hopefully only a few days [to recover].

“The reason why I have cancelled for Wednesday [against Turkey] is that it is a bit early to play three days after I played 90 minutes with a groin problem.”

Agger also went on to express delight at having recently been crowned Denmark’s Player of the Year for the second time.

He added: “Winning this award is one of the greatest things you can achieve as a Danish footballer.

“I’m really committed to spending all my time involved in football. I have to admit that there were times when I doubted that I would ever stand here.

“I have been down and out with injuries but awards like this make me want to keep going. It is my attitude that means I am standing in this position.”