There was one word on the lips of all Liverpool fans at the start of the evening: injuries. One fan had posted a clever edit of the Reds logo on social media before the match, applying bandages to the legs of the famous Liver Bird, signaling a crisis involving ten battered first-team players.
But by the end of the evening the buzzword on everyone’s lips was ‘Wembley’ as Jurgen Klopp’s wounded warriors now head to the capital for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday with the chance to win the first trophy of a season that could still yield four crowns.
However, one quadruple was achieved last night, with Klopp delivering his trademark triple punch to all four corners of Anfield for the first time this season. The German boss enjoyed another successful outing on his farewell tour and his celebration showed just how big this victory was.
Liverpool were just one goal against little old Luton and those ten notable absentees were palpable, from missing regular Alisson when stand-in Caoimhin Kelleher fumbled Luton’s goal, to moaning that Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota were not the theme of the first match. half were missed opportunities.
But even as most of the first-choice eleven watched from their benches due to the injury crisis that some say could derail a title bid, this was not so much a limp but a seismic leap closer to their goal of becoming champions of England be for the 20th time.
Liverpool came from behind to record a 4-1 victory and sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League
Chiedozie Ogbene races away after scoring for the Kop after heading into the back of the net from close range
Virgil van Dijk drew the Reds level in the second half with a bullet header after Ogbene gave Luton Town a shock lead
Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz (pictured) and Harvey Elliott also scored in the second half to complete a comfortable victory
Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott scored the goals to help them beat Luton on a night that looked like a banana peel for so long, with Liverpool’s fighting spirit, stylish quality and depth all playing for the umpteenth time were emphasized this season.
“I will mention this match a few more times from now on,” Klopp said. “This is an example tonight. This is their Barcelona (referring to the 4-3 aggregate victory in 2019). Enough reasons to give up. Not tonight. I saw a supergroup fighting. If you don’t limit yourself to bad thoughts, you can fly.”
Klopp had asked fans for a ‘European night’ in terms of the atmosphere at the newly expanded 61,000-seat Anfield, asking for extra noise to help his gang of bruised players – but in the first half this match looked more like a David competition. draw against Goliath FA Cup.
As Liverpool sang six times about conquering Europe, we heard Luton fans chanting: ‘Conference champions, you will never sing that’. Although the leaders dominated the ball with 57 percent possession in the first half, the Hatters played without fear.
It is of course that fearless attitude that underpins the fairytale story of Luton’s rise from the ashes of non-league football to the glitz and glamor of the Premier League. Ten years ago today, for the record, they played in front of 3,480 people at Nuneaton Town.
However, they came here with the belief that they are not just at this level to make up the numbers, and also to settle the score after Liverpool scored a point at Kenilworth Road with a Diaz equalizer in the 95th minute.
In keeping with the feeling of an FA Cup third round tie, Liverpool hammered chance after chance at Luton’s door, or rather miss after miss, and then the away side put up numbers and were rewarded with a goal against the style of play. after 12 minutes.
Ogbene celebrates with Teden Mengi and Carlton Morris after giving Luton a shock lead at Anfield on Wednesday night
Liverpool dominated the chances, but Luton also threatened to double their lead, with Tahith Chong having a shot saved
Diaz was a livewire for Liverpool and got involved in all their attacking play as they searched for a goal
Diaz furiously slams his hand on the turf after squandering a glorious chance to level the game for the hosts
Klopp at one point expressed his frustration with the Liverpool fans for their negativity towards the team’s struggle to find a goal
It came after a brave pass down the left starring former Manchester United man Tahith Chong, who whipped a shot into Kelleher that was poorly parried straight into the path of Ireland teammate Chiedozie Ogbene to divert in the rebound.
Regardless, Luis Diaz was the most guilty member of Liverpool’s squad for missing golden opportunities, and Klopp was clearly irritated and could be seen voicing his irritations to the fans behind him in the main stand.
Anfield were subdued and frustrated but came alive in the second half, almost as if Klopp had telepathically included the Kop in his team talk. Two goals in two minutes turned the match on its head, with Alexis Mac Allister assisting two Dutchmen, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool made an explosive start to the second half, with Van Dijk’s bullet header putting the Reds back on level terms
Just two minutes and five seconds later, Cody Gakpo headed in Alexis Mac Allister’s volley cross to put the Reds ahead
Diaz scored a well-deserved goal to give Liverpool a two-goal cushion as the Reds looked comfortable in the second half
Harvey Elliott added a late fourth and celebrated with Liverpool debutant Jayden Danns coming off the bench
And from that moment on the floodgates opened, with Diaz finally taking his chance with his ninth shot of the match to almost secure the three points in the 71st minute. Elliott also got a deserved goal as the match ticked into stoppage time.
“The second half was a thunderstorm… wow,” said Klopp. ‘Wow. I know you guys tend to make headlines with (the atmosphere), but we all had to get used to the crowd. But in the second half, this place… along with a bunch of special footballers… oh my god!’
Opposite Rob Edwards added: “It was a good performance overall but in the second half we only saw Anfield. We have seen Liverpool. Full throttle football, the atmosphere was great. It was a good experience for us to see what the best looks like. They were great.’