Liverpool vs Luton Town 4-1: Klopp’s Title Contenders Triumph with Second-Half Turnaround
Liverpool vs Luton Town Match Report and Highlights: In a thrilling encounter at Anfield, Liverpool showcased their championship credentials, rallying from an early setback to secure a commanding 4-1 victory over Luton Town. This comprehensive win not only extends Liverpool’s lead at the summit of the Premier League but also underlines their resilience and attacking prowess.
After 12 minutes, Luis Diaz wasted two early opportunities, which only served to emphasize how weak Liverpool was without Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota. Instead, Luton took the lead through Chiedozie Ogbene. Eleven minutes after the break, Virgil van Dijk‘s header from a corner gave Liverpool the lead, and 125 seconds later, Cody Gakpo’s nod sealed the victory.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, Diaz added a third goal, and Harvey Elliott added another late on to put Liverpool four points ahead of second-place Man City. This sets up Sunday’s Carabao Cup final versus Chelsea at Wembley.
“Oh my god, it was only a firework! Fantastic night and wonderful goals,” stated Jurgen Klopp following the match. “How the stadium and the team together changed that game was just exceptional.”
Concerning wounds, he clarified: “No.” Nothing is known to us. We shall see, but like I stated prior to the game, we will proceed as long as there are 11 players. Will we have a lot of support? Without a doubt not. Everton’s much superior goal differential keeps Luton in the relegation zone despite their best effort for the better part of an hour. Luton loses for the third time in a row.
How Liverpool bounced back to win four points
After Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Brentford, Liverpool needed a quick start to calm the crowd, but Diaz’s early wasted opportunities created anxiety at Anfield. Caoimhin Kelleher, filling in for the injured Allison in goal, sent a ball over the top to let the forward through, but his mishandling caused the opportunity to disappear, and a few moments later he blasted wide with his left foot in the area.
Ogbene headed in at the back post after Kelleher stopped Tahith Chong’s attempt with his legs, and the ball sat up for the winger to score his third league goal of the year as Luton punished Liverpool’s unusual wastefulness.
With six shots in the first thirty-five minutes, Diaz hit the goal once. His Expected Goals total was 0.67 in that time, whereas Luton’s was 0.68. The groans coming from the stands seemed to infuriate Klopp on the touchline.
Luton created opportunities for themselves at the back, but Liverpool was unable to take advantage of them and was also unlucky from set pieces, failing to make any of their seven first-half corners.
Ironically, it was a corner that turned the tide for Liverpool as Van Dijk leaped highest to meet Alexis Mac Allister’s delivery and square the score in front of the Kop. The supporters were up to celebrate another before they had even had a chance to settle in.
A Luton substitution was exploited by Connor Bradley, who made a fast pass to find Mac Allister in space on the right. The midfielder then picked out Gakpo, who nodded in to finish the turnaround.
After Liverpool took the lead, Luton continued to battle, but Liverpool’s momentum helped calm Diaz’s fears. With less than 20 minutes remaining, he was sent in by substitute Andrew Robertson to add a third, but he maintained his composure.
Not long after Liverpool’s third goal, Alfie Doughty hobbled off, dealing a further shock to the visitors. Issa Kabore was appointed as his replacement. Elliott celebrated his 100th club appearance with a goal in the last minute of normal time, sending Anfield into a frenzy ahead of their journey to Wembley on Sunday.
By the end of regulation time, Klopp had made amends with the supporters with his typical fist pumps. It makes sense because the win guarantees Liverpool’s position at the top until they resume league play.
Klopp: The team and the stadium collaborated together to reinvent the game
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said:
“Amazing game. I could already see that the boys and the audience weren’t as fond of the first half as I was. We got off to a decent start; you have to adjust to your opponent. Luis Diaz gave us a huge opportunity.
“Up until the last three minutes, everything went well, and then we rushed things. At halftime, we told the boys that we needed to maintain our composure when things got tight.”It was just a firecracker, my goodness! I wouldn’t say we were calmer. “How the stadium and the team together changed that game was just exceptional.” Wonderful goals and an amazing evening.
He continued, saying, “No. Nothing is known to us. We shall see, but like I stated before the game, we will try as long as there are 11 participants. Will we have a lot of support? Without a doubt not. But it’s a final, so who cares? It will be challenging because Chelsea has significantly improved since we played them.”
Edwards: We witnessed the peak of Anfield and Liverpool
Rob Edwards, the Luton boss, said:
“It was a good first half performance. In the second half, I believed that Anfield showed us Liverpool at its peak, with both genuine talent and full-throttle football. They counter-pressed with great skill.
“In certain instances, we may have played into the hands a little too frequently. However, there was a lot of noise, the spectators were amazing, and the players undoubtedly had trouble thinking. After they scored those two goals quickly, it was difficult to regain momentum or control of the game.
“They deserve a lot of credit for changing the game. I think we played well in the first half, but we kept going and tried to do the right things in the second half, and for that, our players deserve a lot of credit. We didn’t stop moving forward; if we had, there could have been more. “There are many lessons for us to learn and many benefits. Many positive aspects of us were present tonight.”
Elliott: Liverpool needed to head harder
Harvey Elliott, the player of the match for Liverpool, said:
To be honest, we’re not really considering the outcome of the (Carabao Cup). Tonight’s task was the main concern. On the weekend, there’s a major game, but this one was the final. Every single game is the championship. We need to recuperate for the weekend because it’s a hectic time.
Stats on Liverpool’s victory
More than any other team in the Premier League, Liverpool has gained 22 points back from losing positions this season. This is their joint-highest amount of points gained in a single campaign in the division (they also gained 22 in 2008–09).
Liverpool’s starting lineup for a Premier League match was its youngest since February 2018 against Southampton, with an average age of 25 years and 68 days (24y 355d).
In the Premier League this season, Luton and Sheffield United are the only two teams without a clean sheet away from home. In their 12 away division games this season, the Hatters have allowed 29 goals, which is tied with Bournemouth and Sheffield United for the most goals conceded by any team on the road.
Virgil van Dijk’s equalizer and Cody Gakpo’s goal to put Liverpool ahead 2-1 against Luton happened in a mere 125 seconds.
Liverpool’s Next
Luton hosts Man City in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday, February 27 at 8 p.m., while Liverpool plays Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday at 3 p.m.
