Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos has been pummeled by elbows, had a tooth knocked out and been red-carded in a Merseyside derby - but he wouldn't change life in the physical Premier League for anything.
The 30-year Greece centre back missed the midweek defeat at Arsenal because of his sending-off against Everton and will also be suspended against Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers.
Kyrgiakos has played a huge part in the recent Liverpool revival and admits he is relishing every fresh battle.
He said: 'English football is what I imagined it to be, it is tough - I didn't have too many problems adapting to football here because I had played in Scotland with Rangers.
'In Germany or Greece I did not have to be as physical because the football isn't so aggressive.
'Anyway it's not all about aggression, that's not the most important thing. You have to want to go and win the ball. There is no point waiting for it to come to you, you have to go and get it.
'There are a lot of elbows flying in football here and the referee says no foul. That is part of football. It's tough and I like this side of the game.'
But life at the sharp end does have its drawbacks. During the 2-0 defeat of Bolton, Kyrgiakos lost a tooth and his all-action style led to an early bath against city rivals Everton when many felt that it was opponent Marouane Fellaini who deserved to go instead for his initial challenge.
The 30-year Greece centre back missed the midweek defeat at Arsenal because of his sending-off against Everton and will also be suspended against Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers.
Kyrgiakos has played a huge part in the recent Liverpool revival and admits he is relishing every fresh battle.
He said: 'English football is what I imagined it to be, it is tough - I didn't have too many problems adapting to football here because I had played in Scotland with Rangers.
'In Germany or Greece I did not have to be as physical because the football isn't so aggressive.
'Anyway it's not all about aggression, that's not the most important thing. You have to want to go and win the ball. There is no point waiting for it to come to you, you have to go and get it.
'There are a lot of elbows flying in football here and the referee says no foul. That is part of football. It's tough and I like this side of the game.'
But life at the sharp end does have its drawbacks. During the 2-0 defeat of Bolton, Kyrgiakos lost a tooth and his all-action style led to an early bath against city rivals Everton when many felt that it was opponent Marouane Fellaini who deserved to go instead for his initial challenge.
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