Liverpool ace Dejan Lovren says he was targeted ‘on purpose’ by Romelu Lukaku during draw with Manchester United
The Belgian forward escaped punishment after appearing to stamp on the defender during the Premier League clash at Anfield
DEJAN LOVREN claims he was targeted 'on purpose' by Romelu Lukaku at Anfield.
Manchester United striker Lukaku will avoid any retrospective FA action after he appeared to stamp on the Liverpool defender in the first half of Saturday’s 0-0 draw.
Lovren, who pointed to the spot on his face where he was hit, said: “I made the tackle and I felt he was over me and he could have moved away.
“My honest view is that he did it on purpose. Even if he did it normally you would apologise after that, but I saw that he was nervous during the game so maybe that was also the reason.
"That happened on the pitch. I cannot change it anymore.”
Asked about the fact that Lukaku will avoid punishment, he added, “This is not my decision. I cannot say I am disappointed but it is what it is we need to move on.”
The referee did not punish the United forward at the time and his actions have been backed by the FA's decision to not take the case any further.
Liverpool were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Premier League rivals Manchester United, despite registering 19 shots.
Following the fixture at Anfield, Lovren said: "We show every game we are better and better and we are really confident within the team.
"We need just to stay hungry and keep focused on our own work. We just need to be a little more cruel in front of goal.
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"Big teams don't need many chances - from one chance they can score a goal so we need to be a bit more dirty in front of goal."
Belgian forward Lukaku was forced to hit back at critics after being labelled as a 'flat-track bully' after fixture against Liverpool.
The former Everton ace has hit the ground running with United, scoring 10 goals already this term under the management of Jose Mourinho.
