After stopping the biggest Premier League upset, Luis Diaz headed an equaliser at Luton in stoppage time, saving Liverpool from certain defeat.
Luton 1-1 Liverpool
Premier League (11), Kenilworth Road
November 5, 2023
Goals
Chong 80′
Diaz 90+6′ (assist: Elliott)
Liverpool’s main problem was consistently losing away from home to teams in the bottom half and recently promoted teams. Their heartbreaking result to Luton demonstrated how persistent this issue still was.
With plenty of confidence after his week-long game-winning goal against Bournemouth, Darwin Nunez struck four times in the opening sixteen minutes, two of which came from a spot that was very similar to where he had scored his goal midweek.
Though a more deft finish was needed, he opted for too much power and hit the top of the bar instead of scoring with one of them.
While Mo Salah fired well over from a corner early in the half, Diogo Jota also had a chance to do better with a run of play shortly after the half-hour mark.
Luton created problems down Liverpool’s right side as they had a few half-chances of their own and definitely developed into the contest.
The Reds had let themselves be drawn into what amounted to a Cup matchup with a team from a lower division.
Half time: Luton 0-0 Liverpool
The second half began with pyrotechnics over Kenilworth Road and proceeded much the same way, with Liverpool showing signs of growing frustration and frequently taking pot shots from a distance.
As the deepest midfield player, Alexis Mac Allister is always a cause for concern. He was booked early in the second half after being caught on the ball several times in the first, and as a result, he will be suspended for next week’s match against Brentford.
After the hour, Luton, who were starting former Everton winger Andros Townsend in his first competitive match in eighteen months, had a major opportunity as Ogbene rinsed Alexander-Arnold and Konate down the right.Alisson saving the day once more.
In an attempt to alter the game, Jurgen Klopp made three substitutions and switched to a 4-4-2 formation.
Shortly after entering the game, Harvey Elliott set up Cody Gakpo, another substitute, but he was unable to convert. Nunez then managed to surprisingly put the ball over the crossbar from three yards out; on reply, he was clearly onside, but the call went off.
With ten minutes remaining, Tahith Chong scored for the home team as Luton broke from a corner, leaving Liverpool wide open.
After Luis Diaz came in, the stage was set for the Colombian to score the equaliser in stoppage time in the sixth minute. revealing his inner shirt, which read “Libertad Para Papa” (Freedom For My Father).
Liverpool is three points behind Man City in third place in the standings.
Referee: Andy Madley
Luton: Kaminski; Osho, Lockyer, Mengi; Kabore, Nakamba, Barkley, Doughty; Townsend; Morris, Brown
Subs: Krul, Adebayo, Chong, Mpanzu, Clark, Brown, Giles, Nelson, Luker
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez (Tsimikas 66′); Mac Allister, Szoboszlai (Elliott 66′), Gravenberch (Diaz 83′); Salah, Nunez, Jota (Gakpo 66′)
Subs not used: Kelleher, Matip, Quansah, Endo, Doak
Next Match: Toulouse (away, Thursday 9 November)
