Tuchel: Liverpool game will be ‘stress test’ for Lukaku, Chelsea

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel believes their game against Liverpool will be a major ‘stress test’ for Romelu Lukaku and the squad.

Lukaku enjoyed a brilliant start to his second spell with the Blues, bagging a goal 15 minutes into his first match against Arsenal.

He was joined by Reece James on the scoresheet as Chelsea made it six points from their first two league fixtures.

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However, Liverpool are expected to pose a bigger threat when the two sides meet at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

When asked about 28-year-old Lukaku, Tuchel said: “He’s had one match with us which was pretty impressive and a good start.

“And from now on we are into details and adapting and to connecting better and better.

“And the stress test is on tomorrow at Anfield, and we will see.

“But when we signed him we knew we were getting a very experienced player, in terms of playing big matches.

“He loves these kinds of stages and that’s why I expect the best we can see from him right now.

“I’m not sure he has yet reached top level, maybe not, because he only has one game in his legs.

“But he will have a good match tomorrow, because he loves to play in these types of matches, he’s a tough competitor, and against strong opponents.”

The last fixture between the two sides ended in a 1-0 away win for Chelsea, not long into Tuchel’s reign.

But that was when Liverpool had the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip out injured. The situation meant Jurgen Klopp had to use midfielder Fabinho at centre-back alongside inexperienced Turk Ozan Kabak.

Asked if Liverpool represent an entirely different challenge this term, Tuchel replied: “Yes of course and we should not hide from it.

“It’s not an excuse, it’s the reality. It is a different Liverpool from the Liverpool without Van Dijk.

“It is not only his isolated capacity and ability and level of performance; he also makes everybody else around him feel more comfortable.

“It is a huge upgrade to last March and with spectators too, that will be a big factor at Anfield.

“At the same time we also feel very confident as we have known each other longer now and have good experiences together, and feel we can fight on this level.”