Jurgen Klopp’s injury-depleted team rallied in the second half, scoring four goals to overturn a deficit and maintain their position at the summit of the Premier League.
Liverpool mounted a remarkable comeback in the second period to overcome Luton and reaffirm their commanding lead atop the Premier League standings.
After Manchester City closed the gap to just one point with a narrow victory over Brentford, concerns loomed for Jurgen Klopp’s squad, which has been plagued by injuries. Trailing 1-0 at halftime only amplified the apprehension. Luton seized the advantage early on, capitalizing on a defensive lapse as Chiedozie Ogbene nodded in Tahith Chong’s deflected effort.
Despite a relentless pursuit by Luis Diaz to level the score, Liverpool’s equalizer didn’t materialize until the second half. Virgil van Dijk rose highest to meet Alexis Mac Allister’s delivery from a corner, restoring parity with a commanding header. Cody Gakpo extended the lead moments later, connecting with another precise cross from Mac Allister to put Liverpool ahead. Diaz redeemed himself for earlier misses with a clever feint and a clinical finish at the near post, securing the victory.
As the final whistle blew, Liverpool had firmly seized control of the match, with Harvey Elliott embellishing the scoreline by finding the top corner in the dying minutes. The win provided a sigh of relief for Klopp, who harbours hopes of welcoming back some of his injured stars ahead of the Carabao Cup final clash with Chelsea on Sunday. Below are the five taking points from the encounter.
Alisson Absence Tells
Liverpool found themselves without 11 crucial players due to injuries, a setback that became glaringly apparent just 12 minutes into the match when Luton surged ahead. Chong’s shot, though low and forceful, ought to have been handled better by Kelleher. However, he only managed to divert it into Ogbene’s path at the far post.
While Kelleher has previously demonstrated his capability as a stand-in for Alisson, the Brazilian’s consistency and dependability in goal remain unparalleled. Alisson’s adeptness at thwarting one-on-one situations has become a hallmark for Liverpool fans and players alike. Although it’s speculative, many would wager on Alisson’s ability to have repelled Chong’s strike.
Erratic Diaz Comes Good
With Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Diogo Jota among the absentees from the Liverpool squad, the responsibility of leading the attacking line fell to Diaz. The Colombian displayed eagerness in his role, frequently testing the Luton goal throughout the initial period. However, his challenge lay in maintaining accuracy amidst his enthusiasm.
Despite Diaz’s consistent activity in the attacking third, which included six attempts on goal in the first half, none posed significant danger to the opposition. His endeavours included a curled effort wide early on, a straightforward save for Thomas Kaminski, a missed opportunity from Wataru Endo’s delivery, a long-range strike off target, and a thwarted chance from Ryan Gravenberch’s pass due to Teden Mengi’s intervention.
Statistics from Squawka highlighted Diaz’s prolific involvement, surpassing Luton’s collective output with six shots and ten touches in the opponent’s box. Nevertheless, Luton held a 1-0 advantage at halftime. Diaz, however, seized his moment in the 71st minute, skillfully maneuvering past a defender and the goalkeeper to extend Liverpool’s lead to 3-1. Moments later, he could have added another goal if not for Kaminski’s strong save.
Reds Go Double Dutch
As the hour-mark approached, it looked like it might be a frustrating night for Liverpool, who had Luton penned in but couldn’t find the killer blow. Then came two Alexis Mac Allister crosses and two headers from Netherlands internationals to change the score and the mood inside Anfield.
First Van Dijk lost Ogbene to power in a header from an out-swinging corner. Then Luton went to sleep from a throw-in, allowing Mac Allister to power in a cross for Gakpo to convert. It could – and perhaps should – have been 3-1 via a similar method minutes later, but Van Dijk could only get his shoulder to another corner and Kaminski saved.
In many ways, it was indicative of Liverpool’s season. They were behind, with people beginning to question just how they are top of the league, and then they found a way to turn it around.
Luton’s Tough Run
Luton’s performance at Anfield commenced impressively before waning towards the conclusion. Their season’s trajectory, however, hinges on outcomes from other fixtures. Rob Edwards, eyeing the end of the season, aims to evade retrospection on their 3-1 home defeat against Sheffield United on February 10, rather than dwelling on their Anfield result.
Regrettably, Luton’s challenges are poised to intensify. Their forthcoming encounter pits them against Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round, followed by a league fixture against Aston Villa. March offers a gentler schedule, presenting matches against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest consecutively.
Encouragement can be drawn from their attacking prowess, having netted 35 goals in 25 games—a tally surpassing that of any other team in the bottom six and equalling that of sixth-placed Manchester United. With 20 points, they stand on par with Everton, firmly entrenched in the battle for survival.
Mental Strength to Fight Back
Liverpool’s approach under Klopp reflects a distinctive characteristic that has repeatedly bailed them out of challenging situations. Andrew Beasley noted that while they’ve often displayed resilience, trailing at halftime at Anfield isn’t a scenario they encounter frequently.
Until Wednesday night, Liverpool had trailed at halftime in just 15 Premier League home matches under Klopp’s management. Among these instances, they only suffered three losses by the end of the game, all of which occurred during matches played without spectators. They managed to secure five victories and seven draws from these situations.
According to Opta, Liverpool have amassed 22 points from losing positions in the current Premier League season, surpassing all other teams. This achievement equals their highest tally in a single campaign in the competition, matching the 22 points they secured in the 2008/09 season. It’s an impressive feat that speaks volumes about their resilience and determination.
In other Liverpool news, Jurgen Klopp’s Agent Addresses Bayern Munich Links as Thomas Tuchel Set to Leave