HOT-SHOT LUKAKU READY FOR ANFIELD SHOWDOWN
Lethal Lukaku fighting fit and ready to destroy Klopp’s boys
ROMELU LUKAKU is ready to wreak havoc on Liverpool’s shaky defence and continue his red-hot start to the season.
The Manchester United striker has been backed to battle it out with fellow in-form hitman Harry Kane until the final game of the campaign for the Premier League’s Golden Boot.
Lukaku, 24, has recovered from an ankle problem in time to face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and will be aiming to add to his 16 goals for club and country so far this term.
He missed Belgium’s World Cup qualifier against Bosnia at the weekend but came off the bench to score against Cyprus on Tuesday.
Belgium team-mate Jan Vertonghen insists Lukaku is fit, firing and ready to go against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The Tottenham defender said: “The goal he got against Cyprus was so typical, a ball in behind and he brushed defenders off and smashed the ball into the net.
“I am sure he will be fine for Manchester United at the weekend. He used the first week with us to get fit.
“He was injured. I spoke to him and his ankle wasn’t in good shape but he has used the time well to recover and he is back and fit again.”
Relieved
United boss Jose Mourinho would probably have preferred his top scorer – who has bagged 11 goals for United since his summer move from Everton – to have missed both of Belgium’s qualifiers.
But he will be relieved that Lukaku came through unscathed, while Reds boss Klopp will be feeling the complete opposite.
Klopp’s side have already conceded 12 league goals this season after just seven games, with only struggling West Ham and Crystal Palace having let in more.
An unfit Lukaku would have been a huge boost for Liverpool, who are without star striker Sadio Mane for the next six weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Lukaku has made a blistering start to his United career, netting seven league goals already. But he has Vertonghen’s club-mate Kane, 24, breathing down his neck with six.
The pair are among the most feared strikers on the planet, with Kane – the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner for the last two seasons – having notched 43 goals for club and country in 2017.
Vertonghen said: “In my eyes, it is difficult to split them.
“I think they will keep playing for the Golden Boot until the last game of the season, like they did last year.
“Romelu is in great form. Harry is special as well. I can’t find the words to describe them. They’re both totally different.”
Vertonghen has never had to play against Kane but comes up against Lukaku when Spurs take on Mourinho’s men later this month.
He added: “Romelu Lukaku or Harry Kane? They are both in excellent form. I wouldn’t want to face either of them at any time. But obviously I am going to come up against Romelu in a couple of weeks.”
First up it is Kop pair Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren who will have to try to stop the scoring run of Lukaku, who has failed to net in just one game this season.