Morientes loving life in Spain

Fernando Morientes is happy to be back in Spain after a short stint in The Premiership.

The 30-year-old endured a difficult 18 months in England with Liverpool before returning to his homeland during the summer.

Morientes has scored twice so far in the league and bagged a hat-trick in Valencia's UEFA Champions League opener against Olympiakos.

The Spanish international only scored 12 goals in 61 appearances during his time at Anfield and believes his game was not suited to The Premiership's style of play.

Morientes feels the physical nature that is very much part of the game in England hampered his ability to perform for The Reds.

"I wanted to return to what I knew and play the kind of football in which I felt more comfortable," Morientes told Sport.

"I didn't like the physical nature of the game in England or the referees who let more things go, and who blow for fewer fouls than they do here.

"A striker isn't protected from rival defences there, and they gave me a really hard time."