Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel says he enjoys the physical test the Premier League offers.

The Slovakian centre-back insists he thrives on English football's notoriously tough trips, something evident in Liverpool's 2-1 Carling Cup success at Stoke's Britannia Stadium recently - a venue that left him without a win in his four previous visits.

"As everyone knows, going there is very difficult," the 26-year-old defender told liverpoolfc.tv. "They are so dangerous, even from a throw-in near the halfway line they cause you problems. Delap can throw the ball into the six yard box from there.

"For me though, I like those type of games. You have to battle and fight and be strong for the entire 90 minutes. In English football you get very little time on the ball, away from home sometimes you don't even get a single second. Almost every team has at least one big striker. I enjoy competing against them, challenging and making tackles. It's not possible to win the ball every time but it's always my aim."