Skrtel braced for physical battle

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is gearing himself up for the physical test which comes with a trip to Stoke.

The Potters' tactics are not universally accepted by everyone in the Barclays Premier League and the Reds centre-back feels they sometimes take things too far.

"The game against Stoke is not about the football it is about the fight and the tackles," said the Slovakia international. "The fighting in the box at throws, corners and free-kicks was always part of the game but it can be too much."

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