Dejan Lovren has made the startling claim that Romelu Lukaku deliberately stamped on his face during Liverpool's goalless draw against Manchester United.
The Croatia international made the accusation in Slovenia, where Liverpool are preparing for Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Maribor, after it was confirmed Lukaku will face no action over a seemingly accidental collision between the pair on Saturday.
Lovren appeared to be caught by the United striker's heel as Lukaku extricated himself from a challenge shortly before half-time. Martin Atkinson took no action and the Football Association has backed the referee's judgment by deciding the Belgium international should face no charges.
The Liverpool defender, however, has claimed contact was deliberate and that Lukaku’s demeanour after the incident demonstrated guilt.
“I made a tackle there, I felt he was over me and he could move away but to be honest my point of view is that he did it on purpose,” Lovren said. “Even if he did it normally he would apologise after that but I saw that he was nervous during the game so maybe that was also the reason [why he didn’t apologise].”
Asked whether he was disappointed that the FA has decided United’s £75 million summer signing has no case to answer, Lovren said: “That happened on the pitch and it is over. I cannot change it and no one can change it so that is what I am thinking about. This is not my decision. I cannot say I am disappointed but it is what it is. We need to move on. That is football, part of the game.”
(Guardian service)
