An injury-hit Liverpool came from a goal down to beat Luton Town 4-1 at Anfield, with second-half goals from Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott cancelling out Chiedozie Ogbene’s headed opener. As the Reds sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table, Express Sport takes you through four key talking points from the contest on Merseyside…
Klopp picks fight with Anfield crowd
The Liverpool boss has not been shy in letting supporters know that the atmosphere has fallen short of his expectations at times this season. And something from the stands once again got Klopp’s back up against Luton.
While chasing the game in the first half, a misplaced pass from Elliott prompted groans from Reds fans around the ground. Klopp turned around and angrily made it clear that he wanted more positivity and support for his players. To the Anfield faithful’s credit, and perhaps Klopp’s too for spurring them into life, they produced a noisy second-half chorus to carry their side to victory.
Three players bail Liverpool out
It was a game in which top-class displays were hard to come by as Liverpool’s big hitters – or what’s left of them – struggled to get out of first gear in the opening 45 minutes. However, Gakpo became a lot sharper after the break and reacted quickly to head the Reds in front.
Alexis Mac Allister also deserves plaudits for registering two assists, firstly by swinging a corner onto Van Dijk’s head before crossing powerfully for Gakpo. And youngster Conor Bradley once again performed well at right-back, providing considerably more threat than Joe Gomez on the opposite flank and signalling to Klopp that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence need not be a catastrophe.
Elliott celebrates landmark
Harvey Elliott made his 100th first-team appearance for Liverpool on Wednesday night at 20 years and 323 days old. Only Michael Owen, Raheem Sterling and Robbie Fowler have reached a century for the Reds at a younger age.
Stepping in to replace Mohamed Salah on the right flank was never going to be an easy task, and while the positional switch wasn’t instantly effective, Elliott found a new level after the break and crowned the occasion with Liverpool’s fourth goal of the evening.
Reds retain title advantage
A defeat or a draw would have left the door open for both Manchester City and Arsenal to close the gap on Liverpool. But three valuable points ensure the Premier League title race remains firmly in the Reds’ hands.
If Klopp’s side pick up more points than City and the Gunners from here on in, the trophy is theirs. Injury issues could yet play a part, however, as Liverpool now temporarily turn their attention to Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
