Liverpool take on Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend.
Belgium’s forward Romelu Lukaku (L) scores against Cyprus
Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has told The Mirror that he thinks Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku will be fully fit to face Liverpool this weekend.
The international break has come to an end, and the Premier League is back this weekend, starting with Manchester United making the short trip to Anfield to take on rivals Liverpool.
With United unbeaten in the Premier League this season after conceding just two goals and dropping just two points, Jose Mourinho will be hoping to continue a fine start to the season in a huge clash on Merseyside.
United’s preparations were dealt a huge blow by the injury to Marouane Fellaini during Belgium’s international period, and fans have also been concerned about team-mate Romelu Lukaku’s status.
An ankle injury ruled Lukaku out of Belgium’s game against Bosnia and Herzegovina before coming off the bench as a late substitute against Cyprus, scoring a superb goal as he outpaced and outfought the Cyprus defence before conjuring up a cultured finish into the net.
Despite his late cameo, concerns have remained over Lukaku’s fitness ahead of facing Liverpool, and any possible absence would be a huge blow given that he has scored seven goals in seven Premier League games for the Red Devils since joining from Everton.
Liverpool may have been privately hoping that Lukaku wouldn’t be fit to play, but Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen – Lukaku’s Belgian international team-mate – has offered an update which Reds boss Jurgen Klopp won’t want to hear.
Vertonghen has told The Mirror that he is ‘sure’ that Lukaku will be fit to play for United this weekend, having used his first week of international duty to get himself fit, and whilst ankle ‘wasn’t in good shape’ to begin with, he is now back and raring to go against Liverpool as he looks to continue his goalscoring form.
“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,” said Vertonghen.
“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,” he added.
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