Lukaku omitted from Chelsea's squad to face Liverpool
Football
By
Reuters
| Jan 02, 2022
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. [Courtesy]
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has been left out of the squad to face Liverpool at home later on Sunday.
The omission comes after the Belgian said he was dissatisfied with his role at Stamford Bridge, according to reports in the British media.
The 28-year-old, who signed for Chelsea from Inter Milan in the close season for a club-record fee of 97.5 million pounds ($131.91 million), told Sky Italy this week that he was unhappy with manager Thomas Tuchel's system, adding that he would like to return to Italy at some point in his career.
Asked about the Belgian international's comments ahead of the Liverpool game, Tuchel said they were "not helpful".
READ MORE
Dangote favours Mombasa over Tanzania's Tanga for Sh2tr oil refinery
Pipeline politics: Why East Africa's joint refinery dream faces slippery path
Debt burden: Inside Treasury's plan to trap Kenya with billions in hidden debt
State plans major audit shakeup to stem graft, wastage of funds
Creative economy key to job creation, says PS Fikirini Jacobs
Beyond the Silicon Savannah: Why Africa's AI revolution must start 'mashinani'
Airtel takes on Safaricom with Sh5.6b data centre
Lokichar-Lamu crude pipeline plan still on, says Treasury
Employers warn of rising costs, urge Ruto to protect jobs
British Airways parent says Mideast war to hit annual profits
"We don't like it of course. It brings noise that we don't need and it's not helpful... We can take the time to try and understand what is going on... if there is something to discuss it's behind closed doors, for sure," the German told reporters.
Lukaku has scored in his last two Premier League appearances -- against Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion -- following his return to the side after testing positive for COVID-19.
He has netted seven times in 18 games across all competitions this season.
Chelsea are second in the league standings with 42 points from 20 games, a point ahead of third-placed Liverpool who have a game in hand.
The match will kick-off at Stamford Bridge from 7.30 pm.