Dejan Lovren's bizarre explanation of Romelu Lukaku's poor display v Liverpool

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By Dov Rawson

Published Oct 16, 2017

Lukaku was criticised for his performance.

Arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester United played out a remarkably dull 0-0 stalemate at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.

Jose Mourinho's side, who remain unbeaten this season, set up defensively and proceeded to successfully frustrate their opponents.

The Red Devils are 2nd in the Premier League table whilst Liverpool are down in 8th following one win in their last five league outings.

One of the biggest talking points of the game - and there wasn't many - was a controversial moment involving Romelu Lukaku and Dejan Lovren.

The Belgian Man United striker has been in superb form since signing from Everton over the summer but struggled to make any kind of impact away at Liverpool on Saturday.

Lukaku stamp on Lovren

Liverpool's Croatian defender was writhing in pain at the end of the first half following an alleged stamp by Lukaku.

Former Liverpool player Graeme Souness believed there was no intent and the FA agreed, deciding not to retrospectively punish United's top scorer.

"I've got to believe that boy didn't mean that," Souness told viewers on Sky Sports.

"Both his feet got tangled up with Lovren. Lukaku's left foot brushes Lovren and that knocks him off balance. I don't think there's any intent there."

Lovren opens up about Lukaku incident

The 28-year-old former Southampton star joined Jurgen Klopp for the Champions League pre-match press conference on Monday evening.

Liverpool have drawn their opening two group games and will be desperate to claim all three points away at Maribor on Tuesday night.

Following the FA's decision, Lovren shared his thoughts on the Lukaku stamp and suggested that was the reason he played poorly.

"I made a tackle and I felt he was over me and could have moved away," Lovren told reporters. "My honest view is that he did it on purpose. It is not my decision.

"He [Lukaku] seemed nervous during the game and maybe that’s why. Normally if you did it, you apologise. It happened and it’s over - nobody can change it."