Romelu Lukaku is ready for Manchester United’s Saturday showdown with Liverpool — according to record-breaking Belgium team-mate Jan Vertonghen.

Striker Lukaku missed his country’s World Cup qualifier with Bosnia & Herzegovina with an ankle problem last weekend.

But the 24-year-old took just 12 minutes coming off the bench against Cyprus on Tuesday to score his 16th goal of the season for club and country.

The way he left battered defenders trailing in his wake before powerfully firing home was cause for alarm for Jurgen Klopp’s suspect back line.

Lukaku has made 10 official appearances for new club United — and scored in all but one (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

And Vertonghen, who became Belgium’s most capped player with 97 appearances this week and was made captain for the night, insists Lukaku looks fully recovered.

The Tottenham defender said: “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. I am sure he will be fine for Manchester United at the weekend.

The fit-again Belgian needed just 12 minutes to score from the bench against Cyprus (
Image:
AFP)

“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.”

However, the 30-year-old was struggling when asked to choose between Lukaku and Spurs team-mate Harry Kane.

The two forwards are currently among the most feared on the planet, with Kane – the Premier League's Golden Boot winner for the last two seasons – having notched a combined 43 goals for clubs and countries so far in this calendar year.

Kane is going for a third straight top-flight Golden Boot — will Lukaku deny him? (
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Getty)
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The pair are poised to be huge stars at next summer’s World Cup in Russia, now joined by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after this week’s qualifying results.

Vertonghen has never had to play against Kane, but comes up against his fellow Belgian when Spurs take on Jose Mourinho’s Reds at Old Trafford in a fortnight.

He added: “Romelu Lukaku or Harry Kane? They are both in excellent form right now. I wouldn’t want to face either of them at any time. Obviously I am going to come up against Romelu fairly soon.”

Vertonghen admitted it had been a huge honour to be Tuesday night's captain on the occasion of his record 97th cap — beating the record of legendary midfielder Jan Ceulemans.

And he insisted this Belgian golden generation may finally be ready to deliver on their huge potential next summer.

He said: “Eden Hazard offered me the armband and for me it was not a huge issue. I took it because he insisted for the occasion.

Belgian legend Cuelemans was on hand as Vertonghen beat his caps record... (
Image:
Reuters)
...which led to some DEEPLY respectful congratulations (!) from his team-mates (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

“I have been captain before, but it was a very special night. I am immensely proud and honoured to the most capped Belgian.

“We have done very well in the qualifiers and I think equalled the record for most goals in a qualification campaign with three against Bosnia and then four against Cyprus.

“Belgium have been excellent in the last 18 months, scored a lot of goals, and created a lot of chances and kept clean sheets.

“We have players in this team that will set the World Cup slight. Look at the quality we have up front and going forward.

“There were maybe seven or eight guys not starting against Cyprus who could easily start in Russia.

“There is so much quality and it is something to be very excited about.”

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