Injury-hit Liverpool organize ‘fireworks’ to blow away Luton. football news

Jurgen Klopp said injury-hit Liverpool produced “fireworks” after coming from a goal down to beat Luton 4-1 on Wednesday and extend their lead to four points at the top of the Premier League. Chiedozie Ogbene gave the Hatters a shock lead in the first half against a Liverpool team without the likes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota. Dutch international pair Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo turned the game around just two minutes before the hour mark, before Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott scored.

The win moves Klopp’s side four points ahead of Manchester City and five ahead of third-placed Arsenal, but they have played a game more than both their title rivals.

“How the stadium and the team together changed that game is extraordinary,” Klopp said.

“We have to remain calm in the decisive moments. Once we were calm there were fireworks. I have to say they were fantastic goals. It’s a fantastic night.”

Liverpool were already struggling with injuries as they lost Curtis Jones, Jota and Nunez in the first half of Saturday’s 4-1 win at Brentford.

Salah scored at the weekend in his return from a hamstring injury, but he was brought on as a substitute earlier than planned and suffered a concussion which ruled him out.

Klopp was already without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara through injury and the Reds were forced to work harder for three points just days before Sunday’s League Cup final against Chelsea .

However, Salah and Nunez could be fit in time to play at Wembley.

“We have to see, but I said before the game that as long as we have 11 players we will strive for it,” Klopp said.

Luton held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw when the two teams met at Kenilworth Road in November and have made a habit of ruffling the feathers of the Premier League elite upon their return to the top flight.

However, the visitors barely posed any threat apart from going in front on 12 minutes.

Tahit Chong broke into the Liverpool box and when his powerful shot was blocked by the legs of Caoimhin Kelleher, Ogbene struck at the far post.

Diaz had all of Liverpool’s chances before the break, but the Colombian wasted six of his shots on goal.

‘A larger!’

Klopp was firing up the Anfield crowd at every opportunity and his side finally opened the floodgates on 56 minutes.

Captain Van Dijk led by example as he raced past his marker to power in Alexis McAllister’s corner.

“The response shown today was excellent and we needed it for the remainder of the season,” Van Dijk said. “Today was a big day!”

Seconds later Mac Allister was again the creator as Luton again switched off from a dead ball.

Conor Bradley’s throw-in took out the Argentine midfielder and his volleyed cross was headed in by Gakpo.

Only some heroics from Thomas Kaminsky denied Gakpo and Van Dijk their second goals of the night as Liverpool continued to hold on to the lead.

And an animated Klopp was finally able to relax 19 minutes from time when Diaz kept his composure to score his 10th goal of the season, this time.

Elliott then completed the scoring by firing a loose ball into the top corner on his 100th Liverpool appearance.

The defeat still leaves Luton in the relegation zone on goal difference.

Luton boss Rob Edwards said, “In the second half we played into their hands and their counter-pressing was incredible, we experienced full throttle football.”

“We knew today was going to be a really big task. We showed for a long time that we are a good team and can compete.”

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