After staging a comeback to defeat Luton at Anfield, Liverpool extended their lead at the summit of the Premier League to four points.
At halftime, Luton held the lead thanks to Chiedozie Ogbene’s header, while Liverpool, especially Luis Diaz, squandered several opportunities.
The Reds surged after the break, with captain Virgil van Dijk displaying determination to equalize with a powerful header from a corner in the 56th minute.
Just moments later, Liverpool took the lead as Cody Gakpo headed in from close range following a cross from Alexis Mac Allister.
Diaz, with his ninth attempt of the game, finally found the net in the 71st minute after persistent efforts.
The Colombian forward skillfully maneuvered into the box and calmly slotted the ball past Thomas Kaminski at the near post, giving Liverpool a comfortable advantage in what initially seemed like a challenging night in the title race.
Harvey Elliott, marking his 100th appearance for the club, sealed a splendid second half by seizing on a loose ball in the 90th minute to score the fourth goal.
Liverpool secured their third consecutive victory after a 3-1 loss to Arsenal last month, gaining momentum as they prepare for Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.
Jurgen Klopp’s side now holds a four-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, albeit having played one more game than the defending champions, while Luton remains third from bottom in the league standings.
Resilient Reds show strength in depth
With nine senior players sidelined due to injury, including key figures like goalkeeper Alisson, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez, and Dominik Szoboszlai, manager Klopp had little choice but to rely on the depth of his squad.
He selected a starting lineup with an average age of 25 years and 68 days – the youngest for the club since February 2018. Additionally, Liverpool’s bench featured five players aged 19 or under, including 16-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni.
Despite the upcoming EFL Cup final, Liverpool could have been forgiven for having their attention elsewhere, and this seemed evident in the first 45 minutes as they squandered scoring opportunities.
Klopp’s expression conveyed a tale of determination as his team reemerged for the second half.
Whatever words of motivation he imparted to his players clearly had the desired effect, as they displayed renewed vigor and clinched victory in style, extending their unbeaten home league streak to 25 games.
In his pre-game notes, Klopp emphasized the necessity for Liverpool to remain resilient amidst their extensive injury list and stressed the importance of focusing on the present moment as they strive for success across multiple competitions.
With spirits high, Liverpool now journey southwards, aiming for their seventh major trophy under Klopp’s management.
Key fixtures on horizon for Hatters
After this recent defeat, Luton’s record at Anfield extends to 15 league games without a win, marking a significant journey since their previous visit in January 2008, when they suffered a 5-0 loss in an FA Cup third-round replay.
Back then, Luton competed in League One, positioned 61 places below their hosts in the football hierarchy and were just rescued from administration. Since that encounter, the Hatters experienced relegation from the Football League but managed to climb back up to the top flight.
Ogbene’s goal in the 12th minute, Luton’s first at Anfield since 1992, came unexpectedly as Tahith Chong’s shot deflected into his path off goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
However, Luton struggled to make an impact in the attacking third without the injured Elijah Adebayo, hindering their forward momentum after taking the lead.
Ultimately, Liverpool’s determination to avoid slipping up in this match proved insurmountable for Luton, leading to their third consecutive defeat.
While manager Rob Edwards might not have viewed this fixture as a prime opportunity for three points at the beginning of the season, he undoubtedly had his sights set on upcoming matches.
Their next challenge is hosting Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday, followed by a crucial series of fixtures that could shape their league campaign. They’ll face Aston Villa at Kenilworth Road on March 2nd, followed by encounters with Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest, all currently positioned in the bottom eight.