Player ratings as Reds overcome early Hatters scare

Liverpool starred in the second half on Wednesday night as they came from behind to beat Luton Town 4-1 in the Premier League.

A weakened Reds were given an early scare when Chiedozie Ogbene headed the visitors into a shock lead, but four unanswered goals after the restart from Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott meant Jurgen Klopp’s side were able to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Luton, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone despite their spirited showing at Anfield.

How the game unfolded

There were several notable absences from the Liverpool squad ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, with Jurgen Klopp opting to leave out Mohamed Salah alongside the injured Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, and Darwin Nunez. The visitors, meanwhile, were again without top scorer Elijah Adebayo.

Luton were forced to deal with an early Liverpool flurry as Diaz spurned a couple of good chances, and it was obvious from the outset that Rob Edwards’ side weren’t going to die wondering at Anfield.

Their approach without possession was bold as they went men-to-man across the park, and the Hatters certainly weren’t afraid to build up through the thirds as a means of exploiting the Reds’ aggressive defensive line. Luton’s courage was rewarded early through Ogbene’s opener at the back post, although they saw little of Liverpool’s goal thereafter in the opening period.

Liverpool had issues playing through Luton’s press but were able to create multiple openings from high turnovers. However, a lack of killer instinct in transition meant they went into the break a goal behind.

The Anfield faithful may have been angsty as the two sides returned for the start of the second half, but they needn’t have worried. Liverpool took it up a notch after the break, suffocating the visitors and overturning their deficit in the blink of an eye. Van Dijk headed home the equaliser before Gakpo converted Alexis Mac Allister’s volleyed cross.

Luton’s bravery then finally cost them soon after as Liverpool finally punished the Hatters in transition through Diaz, who handed the hosts a 3-1 lead midway through the second half. The visitors huffed and puffed until the game’s conclusion, enjoying their only bright period since the opening exchanges, but they couldn’t find a way back into the game as Elliott added some late gloss.

GK: Caoimhín Kelleher – 7/10 – After his early concession, Kelleher was authoritative…