Liverpool woke up at halftime to dispatch Luton Town 4-1 at Anfield on Wednesday, strengthening their Premier League lead back to four points.
The short-handed Reds were poor in the first half, going down on a Chiedozie Ogbene goal and appearing a bit haggard without Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Joel Matip.
WATCH LIVERPOOL v LUTON FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
But it ended up being your average lopsided, non-clean sheet win for the Jurgen Klopp Goodbye Tour, the multi-goal comfort cruise coming via Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luiz Diaz, and Harvey Elliott after their 4-1 win at Brentford on Saturday. Liverpool are the first to 60 points in this season’s Premier League, four more than Man City and five ahead of Arsenal who both have a match-in-hand.
Luton were sensational in their 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United on Sunday and looked ready to build on it, but the Hatters were a shell of their first-half selves in the second 45. Luton’s 20 points remain in the bottom three, below Everton on goal differential and wins.
Reds get it right after the break
Jurgen Klopp might’ve expected this score line, but the journey to 4-1 wasn’t a clean ride.
Caoiminh Kelleher probably wants the goal back and Klopp won’t like a seventh-straight game conceding at least one goal.
But everything else came to life after halftime, and there’s not a man who hit the pitch who will feel he didn’t contribute to the win.
Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch were very good, and Wataru Endo did especially well in the second half as Luton’s midfield could not replicate a dominant first frame.
It wasn’t easy for Liverpool, but it was straight-forward especially after the Hatters fell apart in their second half. The Reds took 17 shots in the second half and had 2.25 xG in that frame.
What’s next?
Liverpool’s all about the cups for a week or so. The Reds play Chelsea for the League Cup on Sunday, then host Southampton in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday. Nottingham Forest away is the next league tilt come March 2.
Luton host Man City on Tuesday in the FA Cup, then Aston Villa in Premier League play at 12:30pm ET March 2.
How to watch Liverpool vs Luton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:30pm ET Wednesday (February 21)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Liverpool vs Luton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Liverpool vs Luton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Luton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Luton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Luton live score: 4-1
Goal: Ogbene (12'), Van Dijk (56'), Gakpo (58'), Diaz (71'), Elliott (90')
Reds cruising now — Liverpool 3-1 Luton (71st minute)
Luis Diaz punishes the Hatters for another careless bit in their own third.
Two different Luton teams before and after the break.
Liverpool strike twice in a flash — Liverpool 2-1 Luton, 56th & 58th minutes)
A little Dutch courage for Anfield!
Virgil van Dijk punches Liverpool level, and Cody Gakpo adds another within a couple of minutes.
Halftime — Luton doing well vs Liverpool’s depth
It’s still 1-0 Luton and there are few Liverpool players standing out. The front three has been ineffective and the goal wasn’t a great watch for the Reds’ backs.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are playing their part, and there have been a few moments for Conor Bradley at right back.
But otherwise, Luton may not deserve the lead but they certainly shouldn’t be behind, either.
Out of nothing! Luton take the lead — Liverpool 0-1 Luton (12th minute)
Tahith Chong does well to get into the left side of the box.
The ex-Manchester United man rips a low shot and Caiominh Kelleher only gets a small piece as it rips through his legs.
Chiedozie Ogbene leaps at the back post to head home the redirected rebound, and it’s 1-0 to the Hatters!
Liverpool lineup
Our line-up to face Luton Town tonight 📋🔴#LIVLUT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 21, 2024
Luton Town lineup
Your Hatters at Anfield 🫡 pic.twitter.com/hSt3b9i8Y9
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 21, 2024
Liverpool focus, team news
Klopp is calling on fringe players to step up in a big way and they’re doing him proud. Kelleher has been excellent in goal over the last few weekends, while Conor Bradley has also excelled at right back. Having Salah back is a big boost and the midfield is likely to be Endo, Mac Allister and Gravenberch as injuries continue to pile up. No matter who Liverpool put in right now everybody is doing their job.
OUT: Alisson (hamstring), Diogo Jota (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Dominik Szoboszlai (thigh) Joel Matip (torn ACL - out for season), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Darwin Nunez (unknown), Curtis Jones (ankle)
Luton focus, team news
There will likely be a few changes to Luton’s lineup given the exertions of their narrow defeat at home to Manchester United. We can probably expect Jordan Clarke, Andros Townsend and Luke Berry to come into the lineup. Luton will look to counter quickly, make the most of set pieces and be a general nuisance as they play with absolutely no fear despite being in the thick of the relegation scrap.
OUT: Tom Lockyer (heart), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Mads Andersen (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Daiki Hashioka (undisclosed), Elijah Adebayo (thigh)
