Liverpool need to be alert when they face high flying rivals Manchester United on Saturday. But Romelu Lukaku should not be giving you sleepless nights.
Big games should make you nervous. Not afraid or fearful, but the butterflies-in-the-stomach type of nerves. A blend of excitement, anticipation and “God, I hope we don’t lose”. That is normal. But I want to suggest there is nothing in this game that should make you any more nervous than normal.
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Yes, we only have one win in the last seven games. But we also have only lost twice since February. Yes, Man City beat us 5-0 but what was with 10-men. We beat Arsenal 4-0 and they all 11 of their dejected men on the pitch. It is true that missing Sadio Mane is a huge blow, but they’re missing Pogba, so no excuses.
You have to give Manchester United for winning 8 of their 9 games this year, but they’ve played no-one. At least no-one you that dazzles you. However they did play Real Madrid in the European Super Cup final and got whooped.
Much of the worry I’m hearing from Liverpool fans is about Romelu Lukaku. He is on a hot streak with 10 goals in he first 9 competitive games for the Old Trafford side. It has been a key factor in lifting them to joint first in the Premier League.
When you look at the Belgian’s record and you look at our defense you can quickly work yourself into a panic. However, I am not going to bear that burden of worry. I’ve seen Lukaku play in big games and I wasn’t impressed. Also I’ve seen us play in big games and I was impressed.
In his last seven appearances against Liverpool for Everton, Lukaku only has one goal. That was the equalizer in Brendan Rodger’s final game in charge. Over the last 4 seasons Dejan Lovren – yes, him – has wrapped him up. There isn’t much Lovren is genuinely good at anymore but marking big fellas is one of them. I’m far more concerned about Martial or Rashford on the break than I am about Lukaku bossing our center halves.
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So be nervous because it’s a huge game but don’t lose any sleep tonight over Romelu Lukaku