He was within seconds of being the matchwinner in one of the most memorable derbies in recent times.
Now Romelu Lukaku will be looking to go one better when Everton entertain Liverpool in the 224th running of English football’s most famous parochial spat.
Ian Doyle looks at how the Belgian striker can once again make his mark in the Merseyside derby.
He knows all about the derby…
Lukaku may have been at Goodison for less than 18 months, but he is aware of the contrasting fortunes that facing Liverpool can provoke.
The good came with his two-goal salvo on his derby debut in November 2013, an afternoon Lukaku declared as his “best experience in club football”.
The bad arrived a few months later when, in the Anfield return, Lukaku collided with team-mate Gareth Barry while attempting to prevent Steven Gerrard from heading Liverpool in front.
Romelu Lukaku (C) is escorted off the pitch after getting injured against Liverpool
Lukaku departed on a stretcher and was sidelined for the next month. Everton lost 4-0.
The ugly, meanwhile, was in his most recent derby outing, a peripheral figure on the wing in September at Anfield as the Blues scraped an unlikely 1-1 draw thanks to Phil Jagielka’s late thunderbolt.
Lukaku will hope the cycle returns to the start on Saturday…..
Lukaku loves playing against Liverpool…
Ever since moving to England, there’s something about the Reds – and facing Brendan Rodgers in particular – that brings the best out of the Belgian.
Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for West Brom against Liverpool at the Hawthornes in August 2012
Lukaku marked Rodgers’ first game in charge at Liverpool by coming off the bench to score the final goal in a 3-0 win for West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
He was at it again in the return match, netting in the final minute as the Baggies recorded a rare triumph at Anfield.
Factor in his brace at Goodison last season, and no wonder the Reds will beware the powerful 21-year-old.
Big Rom can scare Liverpool at set-pieces…
We’ll gloss over the fact Lukaku’s most recent set-piece goal was inadvertently directed beyond his own goalkeeper Tim Howard at Southampton.
His sheer size and presence makes the Belgian a major danger at dead-ball situations, not least with Leighton Baines providing the ammunition.
Romelu Lukaku scores Everton’s third goal of the game against Liverpool at Goodison Park last season
Certainly, it was too much for Liverpool at Goodison last season, with the second of his two goals a powerful header in front of the Gwladys Street from a corner.
Despite their improvement over recent weeks, the Reds still seem uneasy at set-pieces, with Lukaku likely to be urged to make himself a nuisance around goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Indeed, he has won 40% of his duels in the Premier League this season – impressive for a striker.
Lukaku is known as ‘The Beast’ in some quarters. Everton will want him prowling on Saturday.
It isn’t just about the goals…
With Roberto Martinez standing steadfastly by his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Lukaku has been asked to plough a lone furrow for much of the season.
Thankfully, his game is perfectly suited to the task, his imposing physical stature giving him, when on form, the ability to hold the ball up and bring team-mates into play, a key component of how Martinez wants his team to play.
Romelu Lukaku in action against Crystal Palace in January
Of course, his pace makes him dangerous on the counter-attack, with the Blues at times criticised for playing a more direct game on occasion to capitalise on Lukaku’s pace and power.
Lukaku has 10 goals in 31 appearances this season and fires off on average 2.8 shots ever Premier League game.
But his total of three assists and a pass percentage rate of more than 75% show there’s more to his game.
He’s back in form – after a boot up the backside…
While Martinez insists his £28million striker isn’t one to require a kick up the backside, there’s no doubt Lukaku responded to being benched over Christmas.
Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring against West Ham
Restored to the starting line-up in the New Year, the Belgian’s injury-time equaliser in Everton’s FA Cup third round home tie with West Ham United halted a run of five successive defeats for the Blues.
Lukaku was back in the groove.
Impressive in the draw with Manchester City and scoring in the replay with West Ham, he shrugged off the frustration of West Bromwich Albion’s blanket defence to score the only goal at Crystal Palace last Saturday, earning Everton a much-needed first win in 10 games.
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