Luis Diaz’s late header rescued a point for Liverpool as they drew 1-1 with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
After their midweek win against Bournemouth in the EFL Cup, Liverpool were looking to continue their strong start to the Premier League season as they faced newly-promoted Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
The Liverpool boss opted for a strong lineup, with the only notable choice being Joe Gomez’s position, as he was placed at left-back on Sunday afternoon. Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were all selected in midfield.
It was Liverpool’s first visit to Kenilworth Road since a 1-1 draw back in January 2008 in the FA Cup. Since then, the Hatters have been relegated down to non-league football, and have achieved an incredible rise through the pyramid to reach the Premier League.
The Reds were in their away strip for the second time this season. They started positively, with Darwin Nunez proving dangerous throughout the first half. The Uruguayan striker hit the post and had two curling efforts saved by the goalkeeper.
The onus was on Liverpool to score early in the second half to prevent Luton Town from getting a sniff at any sort of surprise result. But it would be substitute Tahith Chong to finish off Issa Kabore’s cross to give the Hatters the lead just ten minutes from the full-time whistle.
There were questions over a potential Liverpool penalty just before Luton Town’s breakaway that led to their goal – Virgil van Dijk felt as if he had been held back and fouled. Nothing was awarded.
Liverpool were staring down the barrel of just their second defeat of the season. Up steps Luis Diaz. The man who has had the week from hell with personal reasons relating to his parents in Colombia. Diaz met Harvey Elliott’s cross to head home Liverpool’s leveller in the 90+5th minute. He lifted his shirt to reveal a “Freedom for Dad” shirt.
A poignant moment as Diaz rescued a point for his side. Liverpool didn’t get what they wanted, as they had an off-day at the office. Something that has been rare so far this campaign.
Another disappointment at Kenilworth Road was the repeated tragedy chanting by the home supporters directed at Liverpool. Those who tragedy chant exhibit the inability to separate football from the bigger picture, and are a disgrace to the game.
It’s a short break for Klopp’s side as they return to action on Thursday night as they play Toulouse away from home at the Stadium de Toulouse. Kick-off at 5.45pm on 9 November.
Luton Town team: Kaminski, Mengi, Lockyer, Osho, Kabore, Nakamba, Barkley, Doughty, Townsend (Chong 61), Ogbene (Brown 79), Morris (Adebayo 75).
Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez (Tsimikas 67), Gravenberch (Diaz 83), Mac Allister, Szoboszlai (Elliott 66), Salah, Nunez, Jota (Gakpo 66).
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