Lovren ready for Lukaku tussle

Dejan Lovren says he does not fear the physical threat of Romelu Lukaku as Liverpool prepare to take on Everton on Monday.

The Belgium international striker has already netted nine times this Premier League campaign, almost half of the Toffees' tally.

Nevertheless, Lovren is relishing the chance to battle it out with the powerful attacker.

"Everton have some top players and Lukaku is one of them," the Reds' defender told the Liverpool Echo.

"He has proved it over many years in the Premier League that he is one of the best strikers in the league."

The Croatian centre-back was withdrawn at half-time of Liverpool's 2-2 draw with West Ham with cramp last Sunday but played the full 90 minutes of the 3-0 win at Middlesbrough in mid-week and is fit and raring to go for the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

"It will be a tough challenge but I am ready. We are all ready to fight," he said.

"Physically, I am fine. I had a small problem but it is gone now."

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches against Everton, winning four and drawing seven, their longest unbeaten run against their city rivals in the league since an 11-game streak between March 1979 and March 1984.