ROMELU LUKAKU
HE MUST PROVE AT ANFIELD THAT HE’S A WORLD-CLASS STRIKER NOT A FLAT-TRACK BULLY
JOSE MOURINHO has tried to ease the pressure on Romelu Lukaku ahead of Manchester United’s trip to arch-rivals Liverpool tomorrow.
For a striker with 11 goals in 10 games this season and so clearly full of confidence, it seemed odd that Mourinho felt the need to protect Lukaku, but he knows that at Everton the big Belgian had a reputation for going missing when the opposition was toughest.
The Manchester United manager said: “They’re saying we have something to prove, Lukaku has to score, we have to win. But we have to prove nothing. One match, one result, one performance – that’s not going to change anything.”
Yet Mourinho knows the focus will be on Lukaku on his return to Merseyside.
The striker, often derided as a flat-track bully, has the chance to prove himself in what is arguably United’s first real test this season.
He has made a flying start to his United career following his £75million summer switch from Everton, filling the void left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s enforced absence with his goals, physical prowess, and ebullience up front.
Not even Sir Bobby Charlton, Ruud van Nistelrooy or Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time record goalscorer, made such impressive starts to their illustrious Old Trafford careers.
Despite that, Lukaku has been unable to escape the perception that he is a player capable of bulldozing inferior sides only to struggle to repeat those exploits when he comes up against sterner opposition.
The stats seem to back that view, with only 15 of the 85 goals Lukaku scored in the Premier League for West Brom, Chelsea and Everton having come against the established top six.
This season that pattern has continued, with Lukaku scoring against West Ham, Swansea, Stoke, Everton, Southampton and Crystal Palace, all of whom are in the bottom half of the table. That is why tomorrow’s encounter at Anfield, a ground where Lukaku has scored just once in six games, has assumed such significance for the 24-year-old Belgium international.
It is also why Mourinho was so quick to try to ease any sense of pressure building on his star striker ahead of a game in which so much will be expected of him.
Former United skipper Gary Neville (left) acknowledged the importance of the game for Lukaku and said the striker will ultimately be defined by how he performs on such occasions.
“Lukaku has settled in brilliantly and done everything he was asked to do in terms of converting those home draws into wins,” said Neville.
“But games like this one are the real test. When I look back to his recent performances at Anfield he didn’t play well, so this is the next step up for him.
“Going away to Anfield is a big test and his service will be more limited so he’s now got to show the ruthless streak to win the big games for United.
“He’ll be defined by his performances in big matches. You’re at a club with aspirations of winning things and a world-class striker will be defined by trophies and performances in big matches.”
Another former United player, ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand, said Lukaku will relish facing a Liverpool defence that has conceded 12 goals in just seven Premier League games this season.
“Going forward, Liverpool are as good as anyone and as entertaining as any team in the Premier League,” said the former United centre-back.
“But, defensively, they’re still trying to find that balance. They look quite open at times and are making individual mistakes.
“If you’re one of United’s front three, you’d be licking your lips at the prospect. They could make it difficult for Liverpool’s defenders.”
Ferdinand (left) went on: “Lukaku loves to run in behind and has pace, which is something that’s been lacking at Manchester United in the last couple of years.
“Now they look a very strong, quick team.”
Going away to Anfield will be his biggest test.. he’s now got to be ruthless to win the big games If you’re one of the United front three, you’d be licking your lips. They can make it difficult for the defenders