It could not have been a more disappointing Sunday evening for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team for practically the whole game, but they ultimately secured a late equalizer to deny the hosts, Luton Town, in their Premier League clash at Kenilworth Road. Tahith Chong scored the game’s first goal with 10 minutes left, but Luis Diaz saved a late point for The Reds.
Luis Diaz overcame a week of personal turmoil to come off the bench and save a 1-1 draw for Liverpool against Luton Town.
The Colombian forward’s participation was once again doubtful after the abduction of his parents last week, but he returned after a two-match hiatus to head in a 95th-minute equalizer.
The Hatters had felt they were on the cusp of a memorable triumph when replacement Tahith Chong slipped home on the counter-attack 10 minutes from time.
Jurgen Klopp’s visitors began brightly and created numerous chances in an open first half, but were unable to break through, with the lively Darwin Nunez hitting the bar with one of several tries.
Liverpool attempted to pick up the pace after the break, but it was the hosts who could have taken the lead when Carlton Morris was well denied by Alisson after fine work by Chiedozie Ogbene.
The offside flag then saved Nunez’s blushes when he fired a miss-of-the-season candidate over the top before the hosts startled the Merseysiders on 80 minutes.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 5, 2023
A fast break from a Liverpool corner culminated with replacement Chong slipping a low effort past Alisson to send Kenilworth Road into raptures.
The home squad seemed to be cruising to victory until Diaz came in as a late substitution and headed in Harvey Elliott’s cross deep into extra time. The Reds forward celebrated by raising his shirt, revealing a message that read, ‘Freedom for Dad.’
As a consequence, Liverpool misses out on a chance to cut the gap on leaders Manchester City, and are currently three points behind the champions in third place. On goal difference, Luton’s point moves them up to 17th and out of the drop zone.
Liverpool will want to get back on track in the UEFA Europa League against Toulouse on Thursday before facing Brentford on Sunday. On Saturday, Luton Town will travel to Manchester United.
TALKING POINT - DIAZ RAISES HIS HAND AS HE WAITS FOR THE RESULT HE REALLY WANTS TO HEAR THIS WEEK
Following the game, the focus will be on Luis Diaz and his dedication to the Liverpool cause. The 26-year-old is now in mental difficulty after the kidnapping of his parents last week, but he responded to his manager and team-mates’ SOS here to snag a last-gasp draw.
It detracted from what was shaping up to be a legendary Luton Town triumph, as the hosts executed their game plan flawlessly and gave the high-flying visitors a genuine worry. Indeed, Rob Edwards and his players are definitely learning as their Premier League journey develops, and if they keep up this level of play, no one will want to visit Kenilworth Road.
Liverpool will be relieved to have avoided defeat after a poor performance, and with the latest news indicating Diaz’s father will be released in the near future, the bigger picture is that some things are far more important than football, and that outcome – rather than lamenting points dropped – is what everyone associated with the club is truly hoping and praying for in the days ahead.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - CHIEDOZIE OGBENE (LUTON TOWN)
The Hatters winger was the outlet for the most of the game, ensuring the hosts offered a significant danger on the break. If he can keep up his recent form, he might be crucial to Luton Town’s survival chances.
PLAYER RATINGS
LUTON: Kaminski 8, Kabore 8, Osho 8, Lockyer 8, Mengi 8, Doughty 8, Nakamba 7, Ogbene 9, Barkley 8, Morris 6, Townsend 7. Subs: Chong 7, Adebayo 6, Brown n/a.
LIVERPOOL: Alisson 7, Alexander-Arnold 6, Van Dijk 7, Konate 6, Gomez 7, Mac Allister 6, Gravenberch 7, Szoboszlai 6, Salah 6, Jota 6, Nunez 6. Subs: Gakpo 6, Tsimikas 6, Elliott 7, Diaz 7.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
13’ – LIVERPOOL OPPORTUNITY! To receive TAA’s magnificent through ball, Nunez makes a great diagonal run, but his resulting soaring shot hits the top of the crossbar.
33’ – LIVERPOOL OPPORTUNITY! After a beautiful run and pass from Gravenberch, Jota takes a first shot, but Kaminski dives to his right to make the save.
65’ – LUTON OPPORTUNITY! Ogbene sprints between Alexander-Arnold and Konate and squares a deflected ball towards Morris who has a rushed effort excellently stopped by Alisson.
80’ – GOAL! – Luton 1-0 Liverpool. Paradise dreamt by The Mad Hatters. After Liverpool failed to defend their own corner, Kabore’s cross from the right was tucked away by Chong.
90+5’ – GOAL! – Luton 1-1 Liverpool. Luis Diaz, of course! The substitute striker saves the day for the away team by heading home Elliott’s cross at the far post.
KEY STAT
Daz scored the tying goal on Liverpool’s 24th and last shot of the match. Liverpool’s last equalizer in the Premier League was scored by Divock Origi against West Brom in December 2015 (95:24).